[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:16]
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 BY RE- RAND WARDELL AVANT JR.
>> LET US PRAY. THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. THANK YOU HOW YOU BLESSED US THROUGHOUT THE YEAR OF 2025. AND AS WE EMBARK UPON A NEW YEAR, 2026, WE'RE SEEKING YOUR DIVINE WILL AND BLESSING FOR YOUR CITY. WE THANK YOU FOR THE PROGRESSES THAT WE'VE MADE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. AND GOD, WE ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO GUIDE US BY YOUR DIVINE PRESENCE AND LEAD US, OUR CITY. WE THANK YOU FOR OUR OFFICIALS, THOSE WHOM YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO LEAD US.
AND WE THANK YOU FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, GOD.
WE PRAY FOR THEM IN THEIR WORK. I PRAY THAT YOU BLESS OUR CITY. CONTINUE TO GROW IN JESUS NAME,
REVEREND. >> YOU MAY BE SEATED.
AS A MATTER OF ORDER FOR DECORUM, SUBMIT A SPEAKER CARD IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. PLEASE AVOID WALKING ACROSS THE DAIS IF YOUR GOING TO BE TAKING ANY PHOTOS AND ANY DOCUMENTS FOR THE SPEAKER SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO MADAME CLERK. AND PLEASE SILENCE
[4.1 NASSAU HUMANE SOCIETY - Nassau Humane Society Executive Director Chantel Scherer will present the "City Commission Dog of the Month."]
ALL CELL PHONES. WITH THAT WE HAVE OUR FIRST PRESENTATION OF THE EVENING FOR THE NASSAU HUMANE SOCIETY DOG OF THE MONTH. TAKE IT AWAY, MS.CHANTEL. >> HAPPY NEW YEAR, MAYOR AND EVERYONE. I HAVE A SPECIAL DOG HERE TODAY.
HER NAME IS PEANUT BUTTER PIE. SHE DOES LOOK LIKE A PIE.
SHE IS VERY HEAVY. SHE HAS A VERY SPECIAL STORY. SHE CAME TOWARDS THE END OF DECEMBER FROM A CRUELTY CASE IN LAKE CITY.
SHE WAS A BREEDER DOG FOR A FIGHT RING.
SO SHE'S IN NEED OF A GOOD HOME.
SHE'S HAD SEVERAL LITTERS OF PUPPIES, AS YOU CAN SEE.
BUT SHE IS VERY HEALTHY OTHERWISE. AND READY TO FIND THAT LOVING FOREVER HOME.
>> HOW CAN SOMEBODY ADOPT PEANUT BUTTER PIE OR ONE OF HER FRIENDS, IF THEY WANT TO.
>> YOU CAN ALWAYS VISIT THE WEBSITE NASSAU HUMANE.ORG AND SEE ALL THE ANIMALS WE HAVE OR COME TO THE SHELTER ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE AIRPORT AND MEET HER IN
[4.2 ELECTRIC BICYCLES ("E-BIKES") - Chief of Police Jeffrey Tambasco will provide a presentation]
PERSON. >> THANK YOU, MS. CHANTEL.
>> ITEM 4. 2 OUR FURRY FRIEND WALKS OUT IS OUR POLICE CHIEF WITH A PRESENTATION ON E-BIKES. THIS COULDN'T BE MORE TIMELY. I HAD A KID THINK IT WAS CUTE TO BE RIGHT UP AGAINST MY WINDOW AS I WAS AT THE CURB. LIKE TO SEE HOW WE CAN ADDRESS QUALIFYING WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO RIDE THESE BIKES AND WHO PROBABLY SHOULD BE WAITING A FEW YEARS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. JEFF TAMBASCO WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I WANTED TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES TONIGHT TO GO OVER SOME E- BIKE REGULATIONS, SOME DEFINITIONS AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STANDPOINT ON TRYING TO MITIGATE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING COMMUNITY WIDE.
SO THERE ARE SPECIFIC STATUTES IN FLORIDA THAT GOVERN E-BIKES. AND THERE'S THREE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF E-BIKES. SO THERE'S A CLASS I, WHICH IS THEY ALL HAVE PEDALS. IT'S -- YOU HAVE TO PEDAL IT, BUT IT CAN ASSIST YOU IN PEDALING WITH THE ELECTRIC MOTOR. CAN ONLY GO UP TO 20 MILES AN HOUR. THERE'S A CLASS II, WHICH IS THE SAME THING OTHER THAN ELECTRIC MOTOR WILL PROPEL YOU WITHOUT PEDALING UP TO 20 MILES AN HOUR. AND THEN THERE'S A CLASS III, WHICH IS PEDALING ASSISTED WITH THE ELECTRIC MOTOR UP TO 28 MILES AN HOUR. E-BIKES ARE GOVERNED TO ONLY HAVE TOO WATTS FOR A MAX WATTAGE ON THEIR ENGINES AND THERE HAS TO BE STICKERS THAT CLASSIFY A CLASS 1, 2, OR 3 ON THE E- BIKE ITSELF.
SIMILAR TO A VIN ON A VEHICLE. CHAPTER -- I'M SORRY, STATUTE 316.265 DEFINES BICYCLE REGULATIONS.
AND SOME OF THESE ALSO APPLY TO E-BIKES. SPECIFICALLY E- BIKE OR ANY TYPE OF BIKES THAT CAN TRAVEL IN GROUPS OF TEN. AND IF THEY COME TO A STOP SIGN, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY TO CROSS÷÷CROSS A GROUP.
SO TEN OR MORE -- I'M SORRY, TEN OR FEWER CAN CROSS AT A TIME. AND THEY GET THE RIGHT OF WAY.
BICYCLE RIDER, PASSENGER UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, HAS TO WEAR A HELMET, WHETHER IT'S A PEDAL BIKE OR AN E-BIKE. PEDAL BIKE OR E- BIKE HAS TO HAVE HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT AND REFLECTORS IF IT'S GOING TO BE OPERATED BETWEEN SUNSET AND SUNSHINE.
[00:05:01]
THEY HAVE TO HAVE BRAKES THAT WORK.AND BRAKES HAVE TO WORK WITHIN 25 FEET AT 10 MILES AN HOUR OR LESS. ON DRY CLEAN PAVEMENT AND ANOTHER KIND OF IMPORTANT THING HERE IS E- BIKES OR BICYCLES ON THE SIDEWALK, THEY HAVE TO GIVE RIGHT OF WAY TO PEDESTRIANS.
AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO PASS A PEDESTRIAN, YOU HAVE TO GIVE AN AUDIBLE ALERT. WHETHER IT'S A BELL, YOU CAN YELL, BUT YOU HAVE TO GIVE THAT AUDIBLE ALERT.
I'LL GO OVER THAT HERE JUST A LITTLE BIT.
STATUTE 316.2065. 5 ACTUALLY DEFINES E BIKE REGULATIONS.
E- BIKES HAVE THE SAME SANCTIONS AS A NORMAL BIKE BUT THEY ALSO HAVE THE SAME LENIENCY AS NORMAL BIKES. SO THEY CAN RIDE ON SIDEWALKS. YOU CAN RIDE ON THE ROADWAY TO THE FAR RIGHT HAND SIDE.
BUT THE CAVEAT TO THAT IS FLORIDA STATUTES ALLOW CITIES TO ENACT ORDINANCES TO GOVERN E- BIKES AND REGULAR BICYCLE USE. SO WE'RE GOING TO KIND OF JUST FOCUS ON THE E-BIKES. SO AN OPERATOR MAY RIDE AN E- BIKE WHERE BETHLEHEMS ARE ALLOWED INCLUDING TO STREETS, HIGHWAYS, ROADWAYS, BICYCLE LANES, MULTI- USE PATH SUCH AS THE GREENWAY.
BUT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAY ADOPT THAT ORDINANCE AND THAT'S IN THIS STATUTE. ELECTRIC BIKES SHARE THE SAME LAWS AS TRADITIONAL BIKES. THEY HAVE TO STOP AT STOP SIGNS IF THEY'RE ON THE ROADWAY.
THEY HAVE TO USE HAND SIGNALS TO TURN. PEOPLE RIDING ELECTRIC BICYCLES MUST OPERATE THEM UNDER THE SAME RULES AS PEDAL-POWERED BIKES.
THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE REGISTERED OR LICENSED.
YOU DO NOT NEED A DRIVER'S LICENSE TO OPERATE AN E-BIKE. AND THERE'S NO AGE LIMIT THAT APPLIES TO THEM. SO YEAR TO DATE, WE'VE HAD 413 TRAFFIC CRASH REPORTS. ONLY ONE OF THEM HAS INVOLVED AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE VERSUS A VEHICLE AND THAT WAS AN ADULT RIDER.
SO WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WITH JUVENILES OPERATING THE BIKES. HOWEVER, WE HAVE HAD 188 JUVENILE COMPLAINTS, SPECIFICALLY PERTAINING TO E-BIKES.
WAS 87 OF THOSE. OUT OF THAT WE HAD 18 VERBAL WARNINGS, WE ISSUED ONE CITATION, WE HAD A FEW OTHER CHARGES. ONE WE ALLOWED IT WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, SO THAT WAS HANDLED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER.
BUT THE MAJORITY OF THEM, THE E- BIKES ARE GONE BY TIME OUR OFFICERS GET THERE BECAUSE THEIR MOBILE.
SOMETIMES WE FIND THEM. SOMETIMES WE DON'T.
FLORIDA STATUTE 316. 008 AND FLORIDA SENATE BILL 462 BOTH ALLOW MUNICIPALITY TO ENACT AN ORDINANCE GOVERNING ELECTRIC TWO BILLS BEING PROPOSED CURRENTLY. HOUSE BILL 243 AND SENATE BILL 382, THEY'RE IN PROCESS. AND PART OF THOSE BILLS ARE GOING TO REQUIRE A DRIVER'S LICENSE TO OPERATE AN E-BIKE. THAT'S IF THEY DO PASS. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THOSE ARE NOT GOING TO BE LIKELY WITHIN THE FUTURE OF ABOUT A YEAR OR SO.
I CONTACTED SOME OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN OUR AREA.
ATLANTIC BEACH AND NEPTUNE BEACH BOTH HAVE ORDINANCES ON E-BIKES. IN FEBRUARY OF 2025, WE STARTED SEEING THE UPTICK IN COMPLAINTS.
SO WE LAUNCHED AN EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN, SPECIFICALLY PERTAINING TO E-BIKES.
IT WAS A MULTI- TIERED APPROACH. SO, IF WE CONTACT A VIOLATOR, THE FIRST THING WE DID WAS WE EDUCATE D THEM ON THE LAWS. WE DOCUMENTED THAT IN OUR COMPUTER- AIDED DISPATCH SYSTEM, AND WE EDUCATED THEM AND SET THEM ON THEIR WAY. IF WE CONTACTED THAT SAME PERSON A SECOND TIME AND THEY WERE A JUVENILE, WE CALLED THE PARENTS AND HAD THE PARENTS COME TO THE LOCATION.
SO WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE PARENTS AND THE JUVENILE AT THE SAME TIME. AND IF WE CONTACTED THAT SAME JUVENILE A THIRD TIME, WE'RE ISSUES CITATIONS.
SO IT WAS A MULTI- TIERED APPROACH.
WE HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS GO DOWN AS OF THIS APPROACH.
BUT WE ALSO DID PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.
OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS INTERACTING AND EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS BOTH AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AND WE ARE PLANNING ON DOING A BICYCLE SAFETY COURSE FOR ELECTRIC BIKES REALLY KIND OF FOCUSSING ON THAT MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE, HOPEFULLY FOR SPRING BREAK IF WE CAN GET EVERYTHING LINED UP AND READY TO GO FOR THAT. SO, WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID,
[00:10:01]
IT'S OUR RECOMMENDATION THAT A CITY ORDINANCE BE ENACTED.WORKING WITH CITY MANAGEMENT AND WE WILL WORK WITH LEGAL IF THAT'S YOUR DECISION FOR US TO DO. SO REALLY JUST WANTED TO KIND OF GIVE YOU A HIGH- LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUES WE'RE HAVING WITH THE ELECTRIC BIKES, WHAT WE'VE DONE TO MITIGATE THOSE ISSUES, AND REALLY TO SEEK YOUR INPUT ON LOCATION RESTRICTIONS, IF YOU DID DECIDE YOU WANTED US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN ORDINANCE, WOULD YOU WANT THE GREENWAY INCLUDED. WOULD YOU WANT THE BEACH INCLUDED. SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOME GUIDANCE THERE. SOME AGE RESTRICTIONS. THE LAW DOES ALLOW AN AGE RESTRICTION, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN TALK ABOUT AS WELL. AND THEN SIGNAGE AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO ENFORCE AND ENACT THE ORDINANCE. SO THAT'S KIND OF OUR HIGHER LEVEL OVERVIEW. AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM
THE COMMISSION? >> BILLS AGAIN?
>> SO, I DO THINK WE NEED AN ORDINANCE.
YOU WEREN'T HERE AT THE TIME, BUT YOU KNOW, WE TRIED TO DO SOMETHING ON THE GREENWAY ONE TIME AND IT WAS UP THERE WITH THE LEVEL OF SHARK TEETH ON THE BEACH INVOLVEMENT.
SO, THAT WILL BECOME A VERY ACTIVE ISSUE, BUT I DO THINK THINK WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE I KEEP LIKE I WALK AT -- MY DOGS AT SIMMONS PARK AND IT'S BEING USED AS A RACEWAYRACEWAY IT'S A WINDY LITTLE PATH. AND IT'S FUN, I'M SURE.
TO MILES AN HOUR ON AN E-BIKE. BUT IT'S NOT FUN IF YOU'RE TRYING TO CONTROL TWO DOGS AND HAVE SOMEBODY COME UP ON YOU. SO, I THINK WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT, HARD, ABOUT WHAT IT IS WE CAN DO THAT MAKES SENSE.
THE OTHER THING I WOULD SUGGEST ALONG WITH YOUR PUBLIC EDUCATION IS A FORMALIZED PROGRAM THROUGH THE SCHOOLS MAYBE WITH YOUR RESOURCE OFFICERS, NOT JUST A GENERALIZED BUT A REAL PROGRAM.
SINCE YOU HAVE RESOURCE OFFICERS, PARTICULARLY AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE HIGH SCHOOL, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THAT INTO A MUCH BIGGER PROGRAM.
>> GOOD. AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, AN OPTION WOULD BE TO NOT RESTRICT E- BIKES COMPLETELY FROM
>> BUT MAYBE JUST UNDER PEDAL POWER. YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD BE A HAPPY
MEDIUM. >> I THINK THE REAL CHALLENGE, AS WITH ANY OF THIS STUFF, THE REAL CHALLENGE IS ENFORCEMENT. YOU'RE RIGHT, BY THE TIME SOMEBODY CALLS YOU, THEIR GONE.
>> YEAH, I'M ALL FOR AN ORDINANCE.
I'M ON THE GREENWAY EVERYDAY. AND MY ONE QUESTION IS ABOUT THE FLORIDA STATE STATUTE AND THE CLASS 2 BIKES.
BECAUSE MY READ OF THE STATUTE, SUBSECTION 6, IT SAYS AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE MUST OPERATE IN A MANNER SO THE ELECTRIC MOTOR IS DISENGAGED OR CEASES TO FUNCTION WHEN THE RIDER STOPS PEDALING. SO TO ME THAT'S A CLASS 2 BIKE THEN DOESN'T CLASSIFY -- ISN'T -- DOESN'T FALL UNDER THIS. IS ESSENTIALLY NOT ALLOWED IF THEY CAN THROTTLE ONLY.
I SEE THAT ALL THE TIME. THAT THEY'RE JUST CRUISING ALONG ESSENTIALLY ON A MOTORCYCLE.
SO DOES THAT -- DO WE -- WILL WE SEPARATE
THAT? >> TECHNICALLY IF IT'S GOT PEDALS, IT'S GOING TO BE CONSIDERED A BICYCLE.
IT'S THOSE LITTLE MOTORCYCLE THINGS THAT YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE AROUND NOW, THOSE --
>> THOSE ARE TECHNICALLY NOT BICYCLES.
AND THEY A WHOLE DIFFERENT CATEGORY.
BUT CLASS 2 BIKES WOULD STILL BE UNDER THE SAME ORDNANCE.
BUT IT COULD BE RESTRICTED AS, YOU KNOW, YOU DEEM
AND I SUPPOSE WE CAN'T BE ANY MORE STRICT THAN THE 20 MILES AN HOUR. 20 MILES AN HOUR IS INCREDIBLY FAST. MOST PEOPLE CANNOT POWER A BIKE THAT FAST, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE KIDS ON A BIKE GOING THAT FAST AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THESE HUGE HEAVY BIKES THAT -- I FIND IT INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS FOR THE KIDS AND FOR THE PEDESTRIANS. I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE ENFORCEMENT ON THE BEACH. BECAUSE IN MY MIND -- SOME KIND OF ENFORCEMENT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT.
BUT IN MY MIND, WHEN YOU'RE WALKING ON THE BEACH FROM YOUR TOWEL OR CHAIR TO THE WATER, YOU ARE NOT LOOKING BOTH WAYS BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THE ON A ROAD
[00:15:02]
ON A SIDEWALK. AND KIDS RUN AROUND LIKE CRAZY ON THE BEACH. AND I'VE SEEN E- BIKES FLYING DOWN THE BEACH. THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE SOMEBODY OUT. I'M THRILLED TO SEE KIDS OUT ON BIKES. THEY NEED THE EXERCISE.GET THEM OFF DEVICES. BUT, YEAH, I'M HAPPY FOR ENFORCEMENT.
>> YEAH, I'LL SUPPORT THAT AS WELL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT IS YOU DO.
TO MY POINT, OUR OFFICE IS ON CITRONA, A MAIN ARTERY.
MY TREATMENTS ROADS FACE THE ROAD WHERE I WATCH THESE SPEEDING BY. IF YOU KNOW THAT ROAD WELL ENOUGH, PEOPLE MAKE RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS INTO BUSINESSES.
E-BIKES DOING 20 MILES AN HOUR, THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO ANTICIPATE. THE KIDS TODAY, THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE SNARKY, THEY'RE RUNNING UP ON A CAR AND THAT MIGHT BE SOME POOR LITTLE MAN OR LADY WHO GETS FREAKED OUT. SO I DO SUPPORT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW WE FLESH THAT OUT JUST AT THIS PARTICULAR PRESENTATION, BUT WHETHER IT BE THAT YOU CAN'T USE MOTORS ON SIDEWALKS .
>> GREAT. WE'LL WORK WITH CITY MANAGEMENT AND CITY ATTORNEY AND GET SOME DRAFTS FOR YOU ALL TO LOOK AT AND APPROVE.
[5. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA OR THE CONSENT AGENDA]
>> ITEM 5. OLYMPIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. A LITTLE OFF THE NORMAL, WE DON'T HAVE A SHEET SUBMISSION FOR SOMEONE.
THERE'S A VIDEO SUBMISSION WE'LL START OFF WITH. MR. PAUL LORI HAS A RECORDED VIDEO.
>> OOD EVENING, PAUL LORI. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT JUST A COUPLE OF ISSUES.
ONE, I CAN'T BELIEVE -- I'M DEFINITELY NOT HERE TO CONVINCE YOU NOT TO DO PAID PARKING.
I THINK YOUR ACTIONS OVER THE LAST 11, 12 MONTHS AND PROBABLY EVEN PRIOR TO YOU GETTING INTO OFFICE HAS DEMONSTRATED YOUR WILL TO PUT IN PAID PARKING. I AM NOT A RESIDENT THAT'S PROUD OF THIS COMMISSION AND THEIR LEADERSHIP. COMMISSIONER MADE A STATEMENT ONLY 1722 PETITIONERS OR RESIDENTS THAT HAVE SIGNED THE PETITION.
THAT WAS PART OF THE CITY ORDINANCE PROCESS.
WE MET THAT THRESHOLD AND ALSO WANTED TO SAVE MONEY, SO WE DID NOT GET MORE PETITIONS. AS AN INDIVIDUAL, THE LEAD IN THAT DRIVE, THOSE WERE TWO SOLID DECISIONS THAT WE MADE.
WE DID WANT TO GET MORE. WE TALKED AND DISCUSSED ABOUT MAYBE GETTING UP TO THE 3,000 THRESHOLD BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THERE'S 3,000 OR MORE FOLKS THAT DON'T WANT PAID PARKING. SO TO THE 1,722 PETITIONERS THAT DID COME OUT AND SIGN, STILL KNOW YOUR SIGNATURE AND YOUR TIME WAS WELL WORTH IT. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE 2026 AUGUST REFERENDUM, PLEASE, EVERYBODY, PLEASE EVERYBODY COME OUT AND VOTE FOR NO PAID PARKING. REMEMBER THAT NO PAID PARKING THE WAY WE WROTE THE TWO- PAGE DESIGN, WAS THAT THERE WOULD BE NO PAID PARKING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF FERNANDINA BEACH.
THAT MEANS OUTSIDE OF THE RECTANGLE AND EVEN AT OUR BEACHES, NOWHERE IN THE CITY LIMITS OF FERNANDINA BEACH SHOULD THERE BE PAID PARKING. THE COMMISSION ALSO TALKED ABOUT A MISSTEP THAT THERE'S NO ALTERNATIVES.
BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN NOW THROUGH THE LEGISLATION THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE THROUGH THE TDC, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS HAS MAINLY BEEN ADVOCATED AS A VOLUME TOURISM PROBLEM. SO, REALLY APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP OF JOHN MARTIN TO REVEAL SOME OF THAT INFORMATION.
AND HOPEFULLY OUR CITY WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF THAT TO USE.
AND THEN THE LAST PART IS ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS KNOWS ON THERE THAT I DON'T LIKE OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT THAT PRESENTLY EXISTS AND THAT'S THE CITY COUNCIL MANAGEMENT KIND OF SETUP BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS IN THOSE FIVE SEATS. THE WAY OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT IS SET UP, YOU'LL HAVE A COMMISSION THAT'S 20 YEARS FROM NOW FACING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE. AND I'LL JUST GIVE YOU A QUICK EXAMPLE. ALL OF YOU WERE QUICK TO WRITE A CHECK FOR $175,000 FOR A TROLLY WHILE YOU'RE CLAIMING OUR SIDEWALKS AND PEOPLE CAN'T
[00:20:03]
WALK WITH HIGH HEELS. BUT YET THAT MONEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED FIRST FOR OUR PROPERTY PRIOR TO DOING ANY KIND OF PET PROJECT. SO WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE DEVELOP A CITY ORDINANCE THAT ALLOWS US TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY PROPERTY FIRST AND THEN THE NICE THINGS THAT COME ALONG.SO, I DO APPRECITE THE TIME. I THINK I GOT A COUPLE OF SECONDS OVER. IF THIS VIDEO DID GET OUT, I THANK YOU MS. CAROLINE BEST.
YOU ARE THE BEST. AND TAKE CARE.
>> NEXT WE HAVE MS. MARIAN PHILLIPS.
>> GOOD EVENING. MARIAN PHILLIPS.
IT'S A BROKEN RECORD ME TO GET UP HERE.
I HAVEN'T REHEARSED NONE OF THIS. DIDN'T WRITE IT DOWN. DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. I JUST WANT TO SAY TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS. WE THANK YOU DARRON AYSCUE NOT WANTING TO SUPPORT PAID PARKING. YOU HEARD THIS MILLIONS OF TIMES, BUT PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU, I KNOW I ELECTED SOME OF YOU.
I WENT TO THE VOTERS BOX AND VOTED.
I TRUSTED THAT YOU WOULD DO WHAT THE PEOPLE SAID.
AND IF I WAS SITTING BEHIND THAT RISER AND ONE DAY I'M GOING TO BE SITTING THERE BECAUSE I'M GOING TO BE MAYOR OF THIS CITY ONE DAY.
IT'S COMING. I WORKED MY BUTT OFF TO BE IN THAT SEAT.
I'VE GIVEN MY TIME. I HAVE SERVED THIS COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ELECTED TO DO.
BUT IF I WAS SITTING BEHIND THAT RISER, AND I HAD 1,780 WHATEVER PEOPLE TELLING ME NO, OR IN THIS AUDIENCE AND HAD THEM STANDING OUTSIDE HOLDING SIGNS WITH PITCH FORKS TELLING YOU NO, NO AND NO, THERE IS NO WAY THAT I COULD DO IT. NO WAY WITH GOD'S CONSCIENCE I COULD DO IT. AND I WOULD ASK -- I ALREADY SAID THIS PUBLICLY, IF I WAS SITTING BACK THERE, THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO.
I WOULD GET MY TURN, PUSH THAT BUTTON AND I WOULD SPEAK AND I WOULD ASK THE AUDIENCE, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE VOTING FOR. YOU'RE NOT VOTING FOR YOURSELF. I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN, ALL OF YOU, THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN.
YOU NEED TO HEAR IT. YOU NEED TO HEAR IT.
YOU NEED TO HEAR IT LOUD AND CLEAR.
PAID PARKING WILL BE BAD FOR FERNANDINA BEACH.
YOU ALREADY SEE IN THE NEWS WHAT'S HAPPENING TO NEPTUNE. YOU SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ST.
AUGUSTINE. LEARN SOME LESSONS.
AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SAT IN YOUR SEATS THAT HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE AND YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO THEM. YOU'RE GOING ON YOUR OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS. YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THE CITIZENS OF FERNANDINA BEACH.
IT'S BEEN PUBLICLY SAID THAT YOU FOUR PARTICULARLY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE CITIZENS OF FERNANDINA BEACH WHO ELECTED YOU TO SERVE.
BE A SERVANT AND DO THE RIGHT THING.
>> THANK YOU, MS. PHILLIPS. NEXT WE HAVE LORI.
FOLKS, PLEASE, WE WON'T HAVE ANY CLAPPING, BOOING OR COMMENTARY AT THE AUDIENCE. ONLY AT THE SPEAKING PODIUM ARE YOU ALLOWED TO SPEAK.
>> WHILE SHE'S TAKING THE PODIUM, WE ARE STILL ON THE ITEMS ON NUMBER 5, PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT. THE PREVIOUS TWO WERE ON THE AGENDA.
>> YEAH. THE OTHER ONE -- SO WE DIDN'T HAVE A SPEAKER CARD TO KNOW WHAT HE WAS SUBMITTING FOR. WE KNEW THAT HE ASKED.
LORI HEMPKY. 751 FERNANDINA BEACH.
AND I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US. AND YOU WORK.
IT WAS DISCUSSED DURING THE DECEMBER 18TH MEETING, I LIVE IN BARINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD. AND ALONG WITH THE RESIDENTS OF KENNETH COURT, WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS AGENDA ITEM.
NOT BEING NOTIFIED IS AN ON GOING CONCERN FOR THAT PARTICULAR PART OF THE ISLAND.
I'M NOT GOING TO FOCUS ON THAT, BUT KEEP HOPING SOMEONE WILL HEAR US AT SOME POINT. I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON THE MID COUNTY FLOODING. EACH TIME DEVELOPMENT OCCURS IN THAT AREA, WE EXPERIENCE NEW FLOODING AND AN INCREASE FLOODING IN AREAS THAT WERE PRIME.
AL DA MAY WAS AN AREA LISTED OF
[00:25:03]
CONCERN. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE ALSO HAVE IMPACTED BY FLOODING WATERS, AND WE WERE EVEN ON THE NEWS WITH OUR FLOODS. WE WERE IMPACTED WITH THE LAKE SIDE DEVELOPMENT, THE NEW HOUSES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WE HAVE AN ANTIQUATED AND POOR STORM WATER SYSTEM THAT'S IMPACTED US. AND WE ARE JUST SO YOU KNOW THE LOW POINT OF THE AREA. OF NOTE, AND THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US IS THE QUICK AND POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM BOTH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY STORM WATER STAFF WHO HAVE DEVELOPED SINCE WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM A VERY COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP. I'VE BEEN ACTIVE IN PARTICIPATING IN THE COUNTY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND CITY AND COUNTY VISION PLANS.I'VE HAD MEETINGS ALONG WITH OTHER GROUPS WITH THE CITY, STAFF AND MANAGER, COUNTY LEADERSHIP AND STAFF. I'M CERTAINLY AWARE OF OUR FUTURE CLIMATE AND WEATHER PROJECTIONS AND PROJECTED GROWTH. SO I SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS, BOTH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.
BUT FEEL WE REALLY NEED TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE.
AND MORE PROACTIVE. WE HAVE TWO STAFF TEAMS WHO ARE HIGHLY TRAINED, THEY'RE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND THEY'RE RESPONSIVE WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE.
MY EXPERIENCE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING, THEIR KNOWLEDGE, THEIR WISDOM OF WATER LEVELS AND FLOW, VEGETATION AND OUR CURRENT STORM WATER SYSTEM. THEY ALSO KNOW WHAT'S MISSING FROM THE OCCASION. THEREFORE, IT'S DIFFICULT TO ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY THESE SAME TEAMS ARE UNDERUTILIZED, PROBLEM SOLVE BEFORE THE CRISIS AND PLAN FOR FUTURE PROBLEMS. AND THAT INCLUDES LOOKING AT POLICIES SO THAT YOU AND THE P.A.B. CAN ACTUALLY HAVE SOME MEAT BEHIND SOME OF THE PROBLEMS. WE NEED A BUDGET THAT SUPPORTS A PROACTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE POLICIES PLAN AND MAINTENANCE RATHER THAN A BUDGET FOR CRISIS SUPPORT OR EVEN LAWSUITS IS WHAT WE NOTED
>> BRIN BYRON, 1438 SOUTH FLETCHER AVENUE.
GOOD MORNING. GOOD AFTERNOON CITY COMMISSIONERS. I'M REQUESTING YOU PRIOR TO TAKING A VOTE ON PAID PARKING TO DIRECT STAFF TO SUBMIT A FORMAL TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX FUNDING APPLICATION FOR DOWNTOWN RIVER FRONT SHORELINE PROTECTION FOR THE PROJECT UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE 125. 01045 A 5 AND REQUEST A WRITTEN ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FROM THE NASSAU COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ALLOCATE CD -- I'M SORRY, TDC FUNDS ALLOWED UNDER THE NEWLY AMENDED STATUTES FOR SHORELINE PROTECTION. THE CDC IS NOT THE FINAL LEGAL AUTHORITY ON STATUTORY INTERPRETATION. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS.
THIS STATUTE SPECIFICALLY ALLOWS USE OF TDC FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE. IT STATES, AUTHORIZED USE OF SHORELINE PROTECTION AND IN- LAND RIVERS WITH PUBLIC ACCESS. TO FINANCE BEACH PARK FACILITIES OR BEACH CHANNEL ES CUE YAR, LAGOON, RESTORATION, EROSION CONTROL, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION OF BEACH GROWINGS AND SHORELINE PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT, CLEANUP OR RESTORATION OF INLAND LAKES AND RIVERS.
WHICH IS -- WHICH THERE IS A PUBLIC ACCESS.
THIS IS SHORELINE PROTECTION AND EROSION CONTROL -- AND AN EROSION CONTROL PROJECT FOR A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE RIVER FRONT. SUCH AS OUR AMELIA RIVER.
THAT SUPPORTS TOURISM EVENTS AND VISITORS USE.
SUCH IS THE SHRIMP FESTIVAL, THE 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS, DICKENS ON CENTER, SOUNDS AND CENTER.
THE REAL QUESTION IS HOW TO FUND IT RESPONSIBLY, NOT WHETHER IT'S JUSTIFIED.
WE ARE NOT BUILDING A WALL FOR AESTHETICS. WE ARE PROTECTING A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT SHORELINE ASSET AS THE FLORIDA LAWS ALLOW. AND DOING SO BEFORE
[00:30:01]
FAILURE FORCES TAXPAYERS TO PAY MORE.WITHOUT OUTSIDE FUNDING SUCH AS THE TDC, PAID PARKING BECOMES PERMANENT. PROPERTY TAXES RISE.
A BOND REFERENDUM ADDS DECADES
OF INTEREST. >> THANK YOU, MS. BYRON.
>> NEXT WE HAVE MS. SCOTT ENGLESS.
>> SCOTT ENGLESS. IS 61 OAK GROVE PLACE FERNANDINA BEACH, HOME OF OLYMPIAN HOPE HENSON. ALWAYS WANTED TO SAY THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR, THE VICE MAYOR
. >> I'M GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT SHRIMP FESTIVAL BECAUSE SHRIMP FESTIVAL IS ONLY FOUR MONTHS AWAY. NOT THAT I WOULD KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.
THIS YEAR'S PARADE THEME IS STARS AND SHRIMPS FOREVER, CELEBRATING 250 YEARS OF OUR NATION AND SHRIMP, OF COURSE.
LAST YEAR NASSAU COUNTY NONPROFITS RAISED OVER $400,000 FOR THEIR PROGRAMS BECAUSE OF SHRIMP FESTIVAL. SHRIMP FESTIVAL COSTS 428,000 TO PUT ON SHRIMP FESTIVAL. THIS YEAR WE ARE EXCITED TO SAY THAT THE KIDS FUN ZONE WILL BE MOVING TO THE NEW WATERFRONT PARK, AND I HAVE ASSURANCES THAT THE WATERFRONT PARK WILL BE DONE. SO, I BELIEVE IN THAT.
I BELIEVE IN THE CITY. AND THAT THEY CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN. ALL RIGHT.
PLUS, I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD LAWYER.
SHE'S GOING TO PUT THE SCREWS TO HIM. THE KIDS FUN ZONE, IT WILL BE AT THE NEW WATERFRONT PARK. THERE WILL BE MORE RIDES DOWN THERE. WE'RE GOING TO PUT VENDORS DOWN THERE. ALSO, THE CHILDREN, THERE WILL BE ALL CHILDREN'S ACT ON THE PAVILION STAGE. ALL CHILDREN THAT ARE SINGERS, DANCERS, MUSICIANS, STORY TELLERS, ALL GOING TO BE KIDS ON THAT STAGE WORKING THAT. ALL RIGHT.
THAT ALLOWS ALL THE COMMUNITY BUSINESSES THAT DEAL WITH CHILDREN TO LET THEM HAVE A STAGE TO PERFORM. WE ARE ALSO -- THIS YEAR WE ARE ALSO BRINGING BACK THE SHRIMP BOAT TOUR.
SHRIMP BOATS ARE COMING BACK. HE HAPPENS TO HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE.
WE'RE VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. AND OF COURSE THE SWINGING MEDALLIONS ARE GOING TO CLOSE OUT SUNDAY BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO BE THE GUY THAT GETS RID OF SWINGING MEDALLIONS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE CITY FOR THIS UPCOMING SHRIMP FEST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, MR. ENGLESS. NEXT, MR. WALTER.
>> MY NAME IS WALTER MOBRERO. P.O. BOX 1 FERNANDINA BEACH, HOME OF THE AISLE OF 8 FLAGS. HOME OF THE 61ST ANNUAL SHRIMP FESTIVAL. HOME OF THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE SHRIMPING INDUSTRY. HOME OF THE CONCOURSE DELE GANS.
HOPE OF PIP PI LONG STOCKINGS HOUSE.
HOW COOL IS THAT. HOME OF FLORIDA'S OLDEST BAR, THE PALACE SALOON. WE'RE ALSO HOME TO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS. WE HAVE THE 21ST ANNUAL OR 22ND ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL. AND ALL THE OTHER FESTIVALS THAT WE PUT TOGETHER MAKE WHAT THIS CITY IS ABOUT.
WE'RE ALSO HOME OF COACH JOHN WHO -- COACH JOHNS WHO WILL BE COACHING AS AN ASSISTANT COACH WITH THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS WHO GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL HERE.
WE ARE OBVIOUSLY HOME OF THE FIGHTING PIRATES.
WHICH IS A GREAT FANTASTIC THING.
OUT OF ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WE'RE HOME TO AND THAT WE -- THAT I MIGHT HAVE MISSED. THOSE ARE STATEWIDE RECOGNITIONS. WHERE AS BEING HOME OF OLYMPIAN HOPE HENSON IS AN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION. WHEN YOU DRIVE FROM 95 OR 17, YOU SEE HOME OF HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER, DERRICK HENRY.
WE NEED A SIGN LIKE THAT ENTERING OUR CITY.
NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT A HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER IN JAPAN.
[00:35:05]
THE POTENTIAL TO BE AN OLYMPIAN IS AND 500,000 AND THAT'S IN THE UNITED STATES. TO BE AN OPINION IN THE WORLD IS 1 IN 7 MILLION. AND WE HAD ONE HERE IN 2025.A GIRL SKATEBOARDER. DOMINATED BY MEN IN THAT SPORT.
WE WILL BE HAVING THE 10TH ANNUAL TERRY KELLY SKATE COMPETITION AUGUST 22ND, SATURDAY, HONORING PARENTS WHO HOPE HENSON WON THE FIRST THREE OF THOSE.
WE RECOGNIZE HOW GOOD SHE WAS AT A YOUNG AGE.
WE HAVE A YOUNG GIRL NOW WORKING ON THAT HIGH LEVEL AS WELL. HER NAME IS COCOA WALDO AND SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN THE OLYMPICS IN 2028, LOS ANGELES.
SO WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITY.
SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF, HOME OF OLYMPIAN HOPE HENSON.
I GOT TO GET TO SCULLY'S FOR TRIVIA
NOW I HAVE A SECOND REQUEST ON THE SAME ITEM FOR PEG LEG PETE MS. PHILLIPS.
>> I'M SORRY, BUT A WHILE AGO WHEN I SPOKE, I THOUGHT WE WERE ON PAID PARKING WHEN PAUL STARTED TALKING.
MARIAN PHILLIPS. FERNANDINA BEACH.
AND I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT PEG LEG PETE.
MR. ANTUN YOU TRIED TO GET THE MONEY BUT PEOPLE DIDN'T DONATE. THERE'S REASONS WHY PEOPLE DIDN'T DONATE. BUT I WANT TO SAY THIS, BEFORE CHRISTMAS I GO DOWN THAT STREET TO GO HOME SOMETIMES. AND I HAVE A PERIPHERAL VISION, SO WHEN I PASS THE MUSEUM I DIDN'T SEE PEG LEG PETE. AND I GOT IN THE HOUSE AND I'M LIKE, DID I NOT SEE HIM? SO I COME BACK.
AND WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE BUT I CAME BACK AGAIN.
AND I DROVE SLOW. THERE WAS A BLACK GARBAGE BAG OVER HIM. IT WASN'T TIED.
WHAT I'M SAYING TONIGHT TO Y'ALL, THE CITY, OUR CITY HAS GOT THE MONEY. THEY NEED TO TAKE THAT MONEY OUT OF THE COFFERS.
I HAD A MEETING WITH SARA CAMPBELL AND GO AHEAD AND FIX HIM AND PUT HIM BACK. WHEN I SAW THAT GARBAGE BAG ON HIM. I THOUGHT GOD HELP IF I RAIN BEFORE THEY PUT THAT GARBAGE BAG, NOW WE'LL HAVE MILDEW ON HIM BECAUSE THE SUN IS NOT GOING TO HIT HIM AND IT'S DAMP UP UNDERNEATH THERE AND IT WASN'T TIED. IF IT DID RAIN AND IT HAS RAINED I PRAY THAT THE RAIN HADN'T GOT UP UNDERNEATH HIM AND THE SUN COMES OUT AND THEN YOU GOT PROBLEMS. I'M CHARGING THE CITY TONIGHT.
I'M MAKING A CHARGE TO YOU TO GO AHEAD PUT THE MONEY UP AND FIX HIM.
AND PUT HIM BACK. BECAUSE HE'S A PART OF OUR HISTORY. YOU'LL CAN LOOK ON MY FACEBOOK.
IT'S PUBLIC. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SAY IT. I HAVE A PICTURE HERE.
YOU'LL CAN'T SEE IT. IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT AFTER THE MEETING, I'LL SHOW IT TO YOU.
BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND A PHOTOGRAPH OF A MAN WHO WENT MISSING ON A SHRIMP BOAT. HIS NAME WAS KENNY JONES.
IN 1999 HE DISAPPEARED IN CAPE CANAVERAL.
I WAS ABLE TO GET A PHOTOGRAPH, ABOUT 20 BY 30.
I KNEW IT WAS HIS BOAT. HE OWNED FIVE.
KNEW HIS WIFE HERE. I TOOK THAT PHOTOGRAPH AND PHOTOGRAPHED IT WITH MY NIKON AND WENT IN PHOTO SHOP AND RECREATED IT BECAUSE THE PICTURE HAD FADED SO BAD BUT I WANTED HER TO HAVE THAT BECAUSE I WANTED TO SURPRISE HER. SO I DID.
BUT PEOPLE HAVE COME OUT. TO ME, THAT PHOTOGRAPH IS FERNIDINA. IT'S ABOUT SERVING PEOPLE.
I'M JUST A PERSON HERE, A CITIZEN.
BUT OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF MY HEART, BECAUSE I KNEW IT WOULD MEAN SOMETHING TO HER AND HER BOYS.
I DID THAT FOR HER. SO, I'M ASKING YOU'LL TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE CITIZENS OF FERNANDINA BEACH OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF YOUR HEART, DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND PUT THAT PEG LEG PETE BACK WHERE HE BELONGS,
[6. CONSENT AGENDA]
PLEASE. THANK YOU.>> I HAVE NO MORE REQUEST FOR SPEAKERS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
THAT LOVE MUS ALONG TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. DO I HAVE COMMISSIONERS
APPROVE. >> MS. BEST, PLEASE START THE VOTE. THAT MOTION PASSES 5- 0 WHICH
[7.1 LEASE, PURCHASE AND ESCROW AGREEMENTS AND BUDGET TRANSFER — LEASING 2, INC. - RESOLUTION 2026-03 APPROVING A FIVE (5) YEAR LEASE-PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ESCROW AGREEMENT WITH LEASING 2, INC. FOR A 2026 ELGIN CROSSWIND STREET SWEEPER AND THE ASSOCIATED BUDGET TRANSFER; AUTHORIZING ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENER'S ERRORS; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves a five (5) year lease/purchase and escrow agreements to finance the purchase/trade of a street sweeper and associated budget transfers in the amount of $321,440.]
BRINGS US TO ITEM 7, A SINGLE RESOLUTION A LEASE PURCHASE AND ESCROW AGREEMENT IN BUDGET[00:40:02]
TRANSFER. MS. CAMPBELL, TAKE USLEASING TO INK FOR THE NEW STREET SWEEPER.
THIS IS THE REPLACEMENT OF OUR EXISTING STREET SWEEPER.
YOU RECENTLY AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE BECAUSE IT WAS THE LEASE AGREEMENT, WE WANTED TO BRING THIS FORWARD TO YOU. THE TOTAL AMOUNT IS KIND OF SPLIT HERE INTO SEVERAL CATEGORIES.
CAN I SEE THE FULL AMOUNT. AND THE LEASE IS OPTION 2 IN EXHIBIT ACOME IS A FIVE- YEAR LEASE.
IT'S AT A 4. 89 INTEREST RATE AND ANNUAL PAYMENT OF 74,091.08. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSION? SEEING NONE. DO I HAVE A MOTION.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION.
SEEING NONE, MS. BEST, PLEASE START THE VOTE.
[8.1 CODE AMENDMENT - BUDGET TRANSFER AUTHORITY - ORDINANCE 2025-12 AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE VII, FINANCE BY AMENDING SECTION 2-412, BUDGET AMENDMENTS/TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO INCREASE THE CITY MANAGER’S BUDGET TRANSFER AUTHORITY FROM $25,000 FOR INTERDEPARTMENTAL TRANSFERS AND $15,000 FOR DIVISION TRANSFERS TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE APPROVED ANNUAL BUDGET AMOUNT FOR A DEPARTMENT FOR ALL TRANSFERS WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND AND LIMITING THE AMOUNT TO $50,000 FOR CAPITAL FUNDS; AMENDING SECTION 2-426 EXCEPTIONS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS FOR CONTRACTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE LESSER OF TEN PERCENT OF THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OR $250,000 IF BUDGETED; AUTHORIZING ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTIONS OF SCRIVENER’S ERRORS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Approves increasing the City Manager's spending authority for budget transfers and change orders]
IS THAT MOTION PASSES 5-0. ITEM 8, OUR ORDINANCES FOR OUR SECOND READING. 8.IS A COD AMOUNT AND BUDGET TRANSFER AUTHORITY. MS. CAMPBELL?>> THANK YOU, MAJOR. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 2025. 12 THIS IS ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET TRANSFER AUTHORITY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT NEARLY A YEAR AGO IN OUR EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT IN THAT MY PURCHASING AUTHORITY OR BEFORE I GOT HERE EVEN THE PURCHASING AUTHORITY OF THE MANAGER WAS INCREASED FROM 25,000 TO $50,000. HOWEVER, THE TRANSFER AUTHORITY REMAINED AT $25,000. SO THIS ORDINANCE WOULD BRING THOSE UP TO EQUAL. TRANSFER AUTHORITY WITHIN CITY BUDGETS WOULD BE $50,000. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE APPROVAL OF TRANSFERS FOR ANY RESERVES. I HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER RESERVE FUNDS. THOSE ARE COMMISSION APPROVALS.
IN ADDITION, IT GIVES SOME CHANGE ORDER AUTHORITY TO THE MANAGER UP TO 10% OF A CONTRACTED AMOUNT UP TO $250,000, WHICH EVER IS LESS, PROVIDING THAT THE CHANGE ORDER HAS BEEN BUDGETED. THIS WILL HOPEFULLY STREAMLINE A LOT OF THOSE NICKEL AND DIME TYPE CHANGE ORDERS THAT WE HAVE TO BRING TO YOU BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I HAVE ZERO CHANGE ORDER AUTHORITY ON CONTRACTS.
SO, THIS IS YOUR SECOND READING.
I WILL HAVE ATTORNEY PRINCE READ THE ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY BUT STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
>> THAUPGS, MS. CAMPBELL AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2 ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE 7 FINANCE BY AMENDING SECTION 2412 BUDGET AMOUNTS, TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO INCREASE THE CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET TRANSFER AUTHORITY FROM 25,000 FOR INTERDEPARTMENTAL TRANSFERS AND 15,000 FOR DIVISION TRANSFERS, BOTH OF THOSE WILL BE INCREASED TO AN AMOUNT OF 50,000. FOR ALL TRANSFERS.
AMENDING SECTION 2.426. AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVAL CHANGE ORDERS FOR CONTRACT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE LESSER OF 10% OF THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OR 250,000 IF IT IS BUDGETED AUTHORIZING ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTIONS OF SCRIVENER'S ERRORS.
AND EFFECTIVE DATE. AGAIN, AS THE MANAGER STATED, MANAGER CAMPBELL, THAT IT IS THE LESSER OF 10% OF THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OR 250 IF IT HAS BEEN BUDGETED.
>> DO I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. CAMPBELL OR PRINCE FROM THE COMMISSION?
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND.
>> THIS IS A LONG TIME COMING.
IT WILL BE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN FESHTSY AND EFFECTIVENESS FOR OUR STAFF SO THEY CAN DO THEIR JOBS MORE EFFECTIVELY. AND IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A WHILE. I HIGHLY SUPPORT
THE FOLKS AT HOME THAT MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND THAT PART, WE'RE BASICALLY AVOIDING MAKING ITEMS DRAG THROUGH MULTIPLE READINGS IN AN AGENDA WHEN THE CITY NEEDS TO GET THINGS DONE. TRYING TO REDUCE SOME OF THE BUREAUCRACY HERE. MS. BEST, PLEASE START THE VOTE.
[8.2 CODE AMENDMENT - CHAPTER 78 - PAID PARKING - ORDINANCE 2025-13 AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 78, TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES, ARTICLE III, STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING BY AMENDING SECTION 78-90(B) SCHEDULE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES (FINES) FOR PARKING; BY AMENDING SECTION 78-91 ISSUANCE AND DISPOSITION OF CITATION; BY CREATING DIVISION 2 TO BE TITLED PAID PARKING; BY CREATING SECTION 78-100 PURPOSE; BY CREATING SECTION 78-101 DEFINITIONS; BY CREATING SECTION 78-102 CREATING A PARKING FUND; BY CREATING SECTION 78-103 IMPOSITION OF TIME LIMIT ON PARKING; CREATING SECTION 78-104 PAID PARKING AREA ESTABLISHED, AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH PAID PARKING SECTORS; CREATING SECTION 78-105 PAID PARKING FEES, PERMITS, HOURS AND EXEMPTIONS ESTABLISHED; CREATING SECTION 78-106 ENFORCEMENT AND AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE; AUTHORIZING ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENER’S ERRORS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Amends Chapter 78 of the City's municipal code to establish a paid parking program.]
AND THAT PASSES 5-0 WHICH BRINGS US TO ITEM 8.2.CODE AMEND CHAPTER 78 FOR PAID PARKING.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 2025- 13 IMPLEMENT THE PAID PARKING PROGRAM.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING. AND THE FINAL STEP BEFORE THE
[00:45:01]
PROGRAM WOULD BE ACTIVATED. THERE ARE NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FROM WHAT WE HAVE PRESENTED TO YOU BEFORE. THE PROGRAM REMAINS AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT. IT COVERS A PORTION OF THE PARKING SPACES IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE FROM FRONT STREET TO EIGHTH STREET, FROM ASH TO ALACHUA.IT ALLOWS FOR TWO PASSES PERPER HOUSEHOLD CITY RESIDENTS AT NO CHARGE.
IT ALLOWS NON- CITY RESIDENTS TO BUY AN ANNUAL PASS FOR 124.
IT SETS -- THIS DOESN'T SET THE RATE.
THAT'S IN THE NEXT ITEM. ESTABLISHES THE REGULATIONS FOR HOW THE PROGRAM IS MANAGED, HOW ENFORCEMENT TAKES PLACE.
WE HAVE DESIGNED AN ELABORATE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION ROLL OUT IF THIS ORDINANCE IS APPROVED TONIGHT, HAPPY TO SHOW THAT TO YOU. AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO ATTORNEY PRINCE FOR THE READING OF THE TITLE AND A COUPLE OF MINOR RECOMMENDED
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 78, TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES. ARTICLE 3 STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING BY AMENDING SECTION 78-90 B SCHEDULE ADMINISTRATIVE FEES, PARENTHETICAL FINES FOR PARKING BY AMENDING ISSUANCE AND DISPOSITION OF CITATION BY CREATING DIVISION 2 TO BE TITLED PAID PARKING. BY CREATING 78- 100 PURPOSE, 78. 101 DEFINITIONS BY CREATING SECTION 78 -- 102 CREATE A PAID PARKING FUND BY CREATING SECTION 78. 103 IMPOSITION OF TIME LIMIT ON PARKING.
PAID PARKING AREA ESTABLISHED. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH PAID PARKING SECTORS CREATING SECTION 78.105 PAID PARKING FEES, PERMITS, HOURS AND EXEMPTIONS ESTABLISHED CREATING SECTION 78. 106 ENFORCEMENT AND AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE. AUTHORIZING ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTIONS OF SCRIVENER'S ERRORS PROVIDING FOR RECEIVABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THANK YOU. MR. MAYOR, I DID HAVE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS TO BEFORE I ADDRESS TWO MINOR CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE.
I DID WANT TO ANNOUNCE TO THE COMMISSION AND TO THE PUBLIC THAT MY OFFICE RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS ON DECEMBER 31ST FINDING THAT THERE IS NO ETHICS VIOLATION REGARDING COMMISSIONER POYNTER'S VOTING.
HE IS NOW REQUIRED TO VOTE ON THESE MATTERS NOW THAT NO CONFLICT HAS BEEN FOUND.
THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO ANNOUNCE BECAUSE THE WRITTEN ORDER WAS, I THINK, JUST RECENTLY PUT IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE COURT, ALL FIVE COUNTS OF THE PAID PARKING LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY BY THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE PAID PARKING WAS DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE ON DECEMBER 31ST AND THE CITY CAN PROCEED TONIGHT. AND WITH THAT, AS MANAGER CAMPBELL HAS MENTIONED, GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND PREPARING FOR TONIGHT, WE FOUND TWO SMALL CHANGES THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE I KNOW THAT JEREMIAH GLISTEN PUT THEM UP ON THE BOARD.
WE HAVE ONE CONCEPT ON PAGE -- IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ACTUAL ORDINANCE, IT'S ON PAGE 15 OF 17 ON THE ORDINANCE.
YOUR AGENDA PACKET, MANAGER CAMPBELL IS SCROLLING TO IT RIGHT NOW. IT'S 15-7.
BUT THERE'S A SECTION -- THIS SECTION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE CITY MANAGER MAY WAIVE TAD MIN STRAITIVE FINE AFTER RECEIPT AFFIDAVIT OF EXPLANATION UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES. AND WE GIVE THREE CONDITIONS IN THE ORDINANCE. AND AFTER WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE ORDINANCE AND GOING THROUGH VARIOUS SITUATIONS, WE DECIDED THAT WE SHOULD ADD A NEW SUB- SECTION D THAT THE CITATION COULD ALSO BE WAIVED IF IT IS UNREASONABLE GIVEN THE TOTALITY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OR WAS ISSUED IN ERROR. THE OTHER ONES THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE IN THE ORDINANCES ON PAGE 15 IS IT'S ALLOWED TO BE WAIVED IF THERE WAS A VALID AND VERIFIABLE EMERGENCY. SO I SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT AND I SAY I PARKED IN THAT SPOT. MY MOM WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK AND I RAN INTO THAT BUILDING TO GET HR OR MEET THE PARAMEDICS OR WHATEVER.
WE ALSO HAVE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES UNOFFICIAL BUSINESS VERIFIED BY SUPERVISOR. SO THAT WAS INCIDENTALLY.
AND WE HAVE CITY VOLUNTEERS DETAINED BECAUSE THEIR VOLUNTEER DUTIES AS VERIFIED BY A COORDINATOR. THIS WOULD JUST GIVE ONE MORE.
THAT IT'S UNREASONABLE BASED ON THE TOTALITY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. OR WAS ISSUED IN ERROR.
[00:50:04]
THE POLICE CHIEF HAS THIS UNDER HIS SECTION OF 78 CHAPTER 78 THAT IF ONE OF HIS OFFICERS ISSUE S EERS ISSUE S A ISSUE S CITATION, HE CAN WAIVE IT. THAT IS ONE AMENDMENT THAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU VOTE TO -- IF YOU VOTE TO APPROVE IN YOUR MOTION. AND THEN AMENDMENT 2, WE CAN DISCUSS BOTH OF THESE. I NOTICE WHEN I WAS WORKING ON THE PAID PARKING LAWSUIT THAT WE DID NOT REALLY HAVE A DEFINITION OF PUBLIC PARKING ANYWHERE IN OUR CODE. THERE ARE A LOT OF INFERENCES TO IT. AND I THINK WE CAN ALL SAY THAT WE AGREE WHAT PUBLIC PARKING IS. BUT THIS WOULD JUST SIMPLY ADD A DEFINITION IN CHAPTER 78 PAID PARKING.THOSE ARE TWO AMENDMENTS IF YOU DECIDE TO DISCUSS AND MOVE TO APPROVE YOU CAN JUST MAKE YOUR MOTION CONTINGENT ON ADDING AMENDMENT ONE AND AMENDMENT 2 AND ALSO DISCUSS THEM INDIVIDUALLY AND JOINTLY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, MS. PRINCE. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. PRINCE OR MS. CAMPBELL. SEEING NONE, I DO HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKER REQUESTS HERE. WE'LL START OFF WITH CHRIS NELSON.
>> MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE MEETING TONIGHT. ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
I'VE BEEN A PROPERTY OWNER IN THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH SINCE 1999. MY WIFE AND I OWN A HOUSE AT 614 BEACH STREET.
>> PLEASE HAVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, SIR.
>> CHRIS NELSON. 614 BEACH STREET, FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA.
>> THANK YOU. SO WE'VE OWNED A HOUSE THERE SINCE 1999. SO WE'RE NOT NEWCOMERS TO THE CITY. MY WIFE, WHO IS HERE ATTENDING AS WELL. FAMILY OWNS A HOUSE DOWN AT THE BEACH SINCE THE 1980S. WE LOVE FERNANDINA BEACH AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS. WE ALSO LOVE THE QUIET ENJOYMENT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN FERNANDINA BEACH.
SO, THIS IDEA OF PAID PARKING REALLY BRINGS SOME CONCERNS TO MIND FOR US.
ALSO HAVE MEMBERS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STANDING AT THE BACK BACK THERE THAT HAVE SIMILAR CONCERNS.
WE'RE VERY USED TO HAVING PEOPLE PARKING CURB SIDE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS DURING THE FESTIVALS. WE LOVE THE FESTIVALS.
WE HAVE PEOPLE COME IN FROM OUT OF TOWN, SHRIMP BOAT FESTIVAL. THE CAR SHOWS.
ALL THOSE KIND OF THINGS, IT'S REALLY GREAT.
WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO BE PROUD OF HERE.
WE HAVE A GREAT CULTURE HERE IN THE CITY.
SO MANY THINGS TOTO PEOPLE. WE HAVE SUCH A UNIQUE CITY.
DEALING WITH CURB SIDE PARKING DURING FESTIVALS WHICH WE ANTICIPATE, WE ALSO KNOW THAT NEXT WEEK THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A FESTIVAL. AND SO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS CAN RESORT BACK TO THAT QUIET ENJOYMENT LIKE MANY OF YOU HERE IN THIS MEETING HAVE. I'M SURE MANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR ENJOY AT THEIR HOUSE. WHERE YOU'RE NOT INUNDATED WITH CARS. ALL CITIES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH NOT HAVING ENOUGH PARKING. I'VE OWNED BUSINESSES AND WORKED IN A NUMBER OF PLACES AROUND THE UNITED STATES INCLUDING GEORGIA.
CITY OF MARIETTA. DOWNTOWN ATLANTA.
MID TOWN IN PARTICULAR. AND THE CITY OF ATHENS WHERE I WAS A STUDENT. NONE OF THOSE PLACES EVER HAD ENOUGH PARKING FOR FOLKS. AND THE ONES THAT I MENTIONED IN PARTICULAR ALSO EXPERIMENTED WITH CURB SIDE PARKING.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT PARKING DECKS. I'M SURE YOU ALL HAVE DISCUSSED PARKING DECKS.
IN FACT, WHEN I WORKED FOR PIEDMONT PARK WE HAD A VERY CONTROVERSIAL PARKING DECK THAT WE BUILT THERE.
TOOK YEARS TO NEGOTIATE. I WON'T GO INTO ALL THOSE DETAILS. BUT IT DID END UP HELPING SOLVE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THAT WE HAD THERE. BUT IN ALL THE CITIES THAT I JUST MENTIONED THE CURB SIDE PARKING TODAY IF YOU GO TO THOSE CITIES THERE IS NO CURB SIDE PARKING. THE REASON THERE ISN'T ANY CURB SIDE PARKING THOSE SYSTEMS FAILED.
THE PEOPLE THAT MADE PROMISES ON THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT THOSE PARKING METERS WOULD BRING IN FAIL FAILED MISERABLY. MAINTAINING THE PARKING METERS FAILED MISERABLY. COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE THAT WORKED FOR THE CITY, PEOPLE WERE UNINDATED WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE PAY SYSTEM NOT WORKING. YOU KNOW, HOW MANY PEOPLE REMEMBER THEIR TAG NUMBER WHEN THEY -- IS THAT MY TIME LIMIT?
>> THANK YOU MR. NELSON. NEXT WE HAVE RYAN DOUGLAS.
>> I'M BRIAN DOUGLAS, 535 PATRIOTS WAY IN FERNANDINA
[00:55:02]
BEACH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONERS. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SERVING ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS IN MY PREVIOUS LIFE TIME.IT'S LIKE OWNING A BOAT. YOU KNOW, YOU'RE THRILLED WHEN YOU SIGN PLEDGE IN AND REALLY HAPPY WHEN YOU GET THE PLAQUE. WE HAVE -- I'M OPPOSED TO PAID PARKING. BUT FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.
THE DECISION TO RUSH TO PAID PARKING AND WHEN I SAY RUSH, TO PUT THAT IN PLACE TONIGHT WHEN WE HAVE AN ELECTION COMING UP. I KNOW THAT EVEN IF WE PUT THAT INTO PLACE IF IT WAS OVERTURNED WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING, BUT I THINK THAT IF WE WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL THE PEOPLE IN THIS PROCESS AND AS FAR AS I KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE A COMPELLING EMERGENCY TO FUND RIGHT NOW. NOW, THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS THE FUNDING. TWO WAYS TO GET FUNDING.
I RUN BUSINESSES. WORKED FOR CORPORATIONS.
HAD A P & L SHEET AND ALSO CITY COMMISSIONS. I THINK YOU HAVE INCOME AND EXPENSES. THE INCOME IS US. AND IN YOUR OWN BUSINESS, YOU LOOK AT YOUR INCOME AND SAY, ALL RIGHT, HOW MUCH WILL PEOPLE PAY FOR WHAT I DO OR WHAT I PROVIDE.
WHAT ARE MY EXPENSES LIKE. IF I NEED SOMETHING, A NEW PIECE OF EQUIPMENT OR WHATEVER, HOW DO I PAY FOR THAT.
WE LIVED IN CALIFORNIA, PRETTY MUCH ALMOST LIKE FERNANDINA BEACH ON THE PACIFIC.
WE HAVE RITZ CARLTON HOTEL. WE HAD A LOVELY DOWNTOWN.
WE HAD A GOLF COURSE. WE ALSO HAD A CITY BUDGET OF $57 MILLION FOR 12,000 PEOPLE. SO THAT ENDS UP $4,900 A RESIDENT. IN FERNANDINA BEACH REMARKABLY WE HAVE A BUDGET OF 240 MILLION OR 13,672 RESIDENTS.
SO THAT'S 17,545 FOR RESIDENT HERE.
I'M CONVINCE D THAT THERE'S SOME PLACE TO GRAB SOME MONEY IN OUR CITY INFRASTRUCTURE.
HALF MOON BAY WE HAD A LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE HAD LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT WE NEEDED IT.
WE HAD TO MAKE CUTS TO THE BUDGET.
WE HAD A VERY GOOD SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN SAN MATEO COUNTY AND THEY TOOK OVER OUR POLICING. MANY OF THE OFFICERS MOVED TO THAT JOB. BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS WE CAN LOOK AT IF WE NEED TO RAISE MONEY.
IF WE NEED HELP, I'M HAPPY TO DO A DOGE COMMISSION WITHOUT ELON.
>> NEXT WE HAVE MS. MARILYN HIBDON.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MARLY LIN HIBDON.
I LIVE AT 1322 ISLAND RIDGE DRIVE. I'M A CITY RESIDENT. I PAY CITY TAXES.
AND I SUPPORT PAID PARKING. YOU KNOW WHY, I DON'T WANT MY TAXES TO GO UP.
>> FOLKS IN THE AUDIENCE, YOU CANNOT RESPOND TO THE SPEAKER. I'LL HAVE TO RECESS THE
>> ONCE THE TAXES GO UP, THEY WILL NOT COME BACK DOWN.
>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO DIALOGUE WITH THE AUDIENCE.
>> I WANT TO THANK THIS COMMISSION FOR STANDING IN SUPPORT OF IT AND LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
IT'S A STRONG TAKE. AND UNFORTUNATELY OUR LITTLE COMMUNITY IS DIVIDED ONCE AGAIN, EVEN WORSE THAN IT WAS DURING THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS OF LAST YEAR. I PRAY FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND I PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM BECAUSE TO BE CALLING PEOPLE HORRIBLE NAMES, TO BE THREATENING PEOPLE'S LIVES OVER SOMETHING LIKE PAID PARKING IS ONE OF THE IS INSANE THINGS I HAVE EVER WITNESSED. SO, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR STANDING STRONG. AND IF PEOPLE WANT TO PLACE BLAME, IF THEY WANT TO VOTE PEOPLE OUT OF OFFICE BEFORE YOU DO THAT, WHY DON'T YOU CONSIDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION WHO DIDN'T CHARGE ENOUGH FEES TO DEVELOPERS AND BUILDINGS, WHO DIDN'T BUDGET APPROPRIATELY. WHO WANTED TO PAY FIREFIGHTERS THROUGH A GRANT THAT DIDN'T COME TO FRUITION. SO, I WANT ASK EVERYBODY
[01:00:02]
TO THINK FISCALLY RESPONSIBLY. SO WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN IN THIS TOWN.AND I WOULD MUCH RATHER HAVE IT COME THROUGH PAID PARKING -- AND JUST AS AN EXAMPLE, I'VE BEEN TO SAT AUGUSTINE TWICE IN THE LAST 30 DAYS. I PAID FOR PARKING WITHOUT EVEN THINKING÷÷THINKING IT. I KEEP A PICTURE OF MY LICENSE PLATE IN MY PHOTOGRAPHS ON MY PHONE. WHEN WE GO TO EUROPE, WE PAID TOLLS. WE PAID FOR GAS AND WE PAID FOR PARKING. FOR A 30- DAY TRIP, WE HAVE SPENT OVER $500 FOR THAT. BECAUSE WE BUDGETED FOR IT.
BECAUSE IT'S A DESTINATION. IT'S ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE.
AND WE BUDGET FOR IT SO WE CAN PAY IT.
IT DOESN'T KEEP US FROM GOING TO TOWNS THAT CHARGE FOR PARKING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS MR. GLEN STETLER.
>> GOOD EVENING. GLEN STETLER 3847 FIRST AVENUE.
I THINK THE COMMISSION HAS DONE A MASTERFUL JOB AT CREATING A FALSE DEBATE. YOU'VE GIVEN THE CITIZENS A BINARY CHOICE BETWEEN GETTING THEIR TAXES RAISED OR PAID PARKING.
IF YOU GO UP TO THE CITY FOR THE COUNTY IN NASSAU COUNTY, LOOK, MAYOR, DO YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW HOW ASSETS THE MAYOR OWNS.
>> THIS IS YOUR TIME FOR COMMENTS.
NOT TO COMPEL RESPONSES. THANK
IF YOU GO UP TO THE NASSAU COUNTY TAX APPRAISERS AND GOOGLE OR SEARCH THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH AND COME UP WITH SIX PAGES OF ASSETS OWNED BY THE CITY, SIX PAGES. POTENTIALLY WORTH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST WHAT YOU COULD DO SIMILAR WHAT YOU DO FIREFIGHTING RETIREMENT AND POLICE RETIREMENT.
IT'S MANAGED BY A SEPARATE ENTITY FOR FREE THAT MANAGES THOSE FUNDS. YOU COULD CREATE A GROUP OF PEOPLE TO MANAGE YOUR ASSETS TO TURN THEM INTO PERFORMING ASSETS BECAUSE MOST OF YOUR ASSETS ARE EITHER UNDERPERFORMING. ANYBODY WOULD GO TO THE BANK FOR MONEY. THEY OPERATIONALIZE THEIR ASSETS THEY HAVE. THIS IS VERY COMMON IN A LOT OF MUNICIPALITIES AND IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. DEMONETIZE THE ASSETS THEY CURRENTLY HOLD RATHER THAN GOING TO THE CITIZENS AND ASKING FOR MONEY OR PAID PARKING THAT NOBODY, ALMOST NOBODY WANTS. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO SQUEEZE THE CITIZENS MEASURE. YOU HAVE THE MONEY HERE RIGHT NOW. AND THOSE ASSETS DON'T BELONG TO THE COUNCIL. THEY BELONG TO THE CITIZENS.
NOT YOU. OPERATIONAL THE ASSETS YOU HAVE.
FORM A BOARD. IT DOESN'T COST THE CITY A NICKEL. THEY PAID FOR IT. JUST A SUGGESTION OTHER THAN RAISING TAXES OR PAID PARKING. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT WE HAVE MS. MARIAN PHILLIPS.
I SAID ENOUGH. >> NEXT WE HAVE ANDREA LEE.
>> GOOD EVENING. ANDREA LEE, 203 SOUTH 18TH STREET. THE MAIN THING THAT I SEE, I HAVE BEEN COMING TO THESE MEETINGS AND I HAVE BEEN LISTENING FOR HOURS. AND YOU HAVE ALL BEEN LISTENING FOR HOURS.
AND THEN I'VE BEEN DOING THE RESEARCH FOR PEOPLE TO SAY STICK TO THE FACTS. SO, I WAS DIGGING IN THE FACTS.
AND UNFORTUNATELY THE MATH IS NOT MATHING.
THE CITY SAID WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO FIX THE CITY. THE TOURISTS ARE DESTROYING THIS TOWN. AND THEY NEED TO PAY FOR IT.
WELL, THE FACT IS THAT PAID PARKING INVOLVES A LARGE CITY LOAN, 20 TO $30 MILLION TIED TO UNKNOWN REVENUE SOURCE BASED ON ESTIMATES OF 2 MILLION AND ANNUAL REVENUE OF PAID PARKING. WE'RE TAKING OUT THIS HUGE LOAN FROM AN UNKNOWN REVENUE SOURCE. IT COULD TAKE AT LEAST 10 YEARS YEARS IN GOOD TIMES TO PAY THAT BACK. SO THAT'S KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD FOR FUTURE RESIDENTS TOTO HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THESE IMPROVEMENTS. BECAUSE WE TOOK OUT THIS HUMONGOUS LOAN. YET, OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS BALLOONING AND ITS BUDGET ISN'T JUSTIFIED BY OUR SMALL POPULATION GROWTH.
OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS OUR POPULATION GROWTH IS 5.
11% VERSUS THE CITY STAFF INCREASE 15. 1% AND CITY SALARY INCREASES OTS 51.8%.
[01:05:01]
NEXT A MA JUROR CITY OF OVER -- HIGHER THAN THIS.8,000 SOMETHING NASSAU COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE SIGNED A PETITION AGAINST PAID PARKING. A MUCH SMALLER NUMBER HAVE SIGNED IN SUPPORT OF PAID PARKING.
THESE ARE JUST NUMBERS. THESE ARE FACTS.
THE OTHER FACT IS THAT WE WERE TOLD THAT TOURISTS WILL BE PAYING TO FIX OUR CITIES INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH PAID PARKING.
YET, IN THEIR REVENUE ESTIMATES THEY INCLUDE 40% OF THEIR REVENUE WILL COME FROM US.
LOCALS. WHO ARE ALREADY PAYING TAXES WHEN WE BUY PERMITS.
AND GUESS WHAT, WHEN WE HAVE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF TOURISTS HERE, FOR OUR FESTIVALS, GUESS HOW MANY DOLLARS WILL BE COLLECTED FROM PREMIUM PARKING ZONES DUE TO STREET CLOSURES FOR THREE DAYS AROUND EACH OF THOSE EVENTS? 0.
SO, WE WERE ALSO TOLD BY THE CITY OFFICIALS THAT THERE WOULD BE NO TAX INCREASES YET THERE'S A $2 MILLION TAX INCREASE.
THE MATH IS NOT MATHING. AND WE ARE NOT BUYING IT.
>> THANK YOU, MS. LEE. NEXT IS MR. MIKE HARDSON.
>> THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MIKE HASHSON.
1629 IN THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH.
I PERFORMED AN ANALYSIS OF THE CITY'S PAID PARKING FINANCIAL MODEL. MY MAIN CONCLUSION IS THAT THE MODEL WHICH COVERS ONLY ONE YEAR IGNORES THE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PAID PARKING'S NET PROFIT OF CONTRACTED AND OTHER COST INCREASES ASSUMPTION MISTAKES AND INFLATION.
SERVICE NEW GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT.
THE ONE PARKING CONTRACT COVERS SEVEN YEARS INCLUDING POTENTIAL RENEWALS.
THE FIRST YEAR IS $356,000 BUDGETED FOR TOTAL EXPENSES AND FEES TO ONE PARKING INCLUDES A 10% CONTINGENCY AND SUBJECT TO INCREASES IN BOTH ACTUAL AND BUDGETED EXPENSES.
THEREFORE, WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CONTRACT YULE 3% ANNUAL EXPENSE CAP CAN VARY GREATLY DUE TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS PRIMARILY BASE ON ONE PARKING PERFORMANCE VERSUS BUDGET. PRICE INCREASES AND HOURLY RATES, PERMITS, CITATIONS ARE NOT ADDRESSED IN THE MODEL OR CONTRACT. THEREFORE I HAVE TO ASSUME THAT THE CITY RETAINS THE ABILITY TO INCREASE PRICES AT WILL.
I LOOKED AT A SCENARIO IF ONLY 3% ANNUAL EXPENSE INCREASES APPLY AND ASSUMPTIONS AS 48% PARKING OCCUPANCY HOLD TRUE, BY HOW MUCH WILL PRICES HAVE TO INCREASE TO ACHIEVE THE TARGET $2 MILLION NET PROFIT OVER ALL SEVEN YEARS.
THE ANSWER IS OVER 30%. FOR A LOCAL COMPARISON TO THAT, NEPTUNE AND ATLANTIC BEACHES PAID EVENING PARKING RATES FROM $2 AN HOUR TO $5, 150% INCREASE. CLEARLY FOR THOSE TWO CITIES THEIR PRICE INCREASE WAS NOT ONLY DUE TO EXPENSE FACTORS BUT TO A LARGE NEGATIVE VARIANCE IN PAID PARKING GROSS REVENUE, WHICH I SEE AS THE BIG RISK IN OUR SITUATION. PAID PARKING IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE. BUT IT'S A SYMPTOM OF BROADER ISSUES OF HOW OUR CITY'S CAPITAL AND OPERATING EXPENSE BUDGETS ARE MANAGED. I PROPOSE A CITIZEN'S CITIZEN OF QUALIFIED RESIDENTS BE APPOINTED TO MONITOR CAPITAL AND EXPENSE BUDGETING. COMMITTE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION AND STAFF AND PROPERLY PUBLICIZED. THE COMMISSION WOULD PUBLICLY RESPOND TO SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS IN DETAIL.
THANK YOU AND THANK YOU SPECIFICALLY TO CARELIN BEST AND GLISTEN FOR PROVIDING THE DATA.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT JANAY RUBY.
>> JANAY RUBY 909 CEDAR. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I'M GOING TO FOLLOW THAT. USUALLY I HAVE SOMETHING REALLY ELOQUENT TO SAY TO YOU GUYS. I SPENT SO MUCH TIME RESEARCHING THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY OF THIS.
I HAVE LOOKED NORTH. I HAVE LOOKED SOUTH.
I'VE EVEN LOOKED AT THE GREAT LAKES. DO YOU KNOW NOT ONE CITY, NOT ONE, HAS HAD A PERFECT GO AT PAID PARKING.
NOT ONLY ARE YOU GUYS THROWING SOMETHING BACK AT US BY FORCING US TO PAY 40% OF US TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN WE ALREADY PAID TAXES, YOU GUYS ARE CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE.
YOU HAVE YOUNG LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WHO WORK AT ALL OF THESE BUSINESSES AND ALL OF THESE BARS THAT ARE LEAVING AT 2, 3:00 IN THE MORNING, CARRYING WADS OF CASH. WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHEN YOU'RE TELLING THEM, OH, SORRY, YOU CAN'T PARK IN THIS AREA.
[01:10:01]
NOW YOU HAVE TO PARK AT, I DON'T KNOW, SEVENTH AND ESCAMBIA. THINK HOW FAR THEY HAVE TO WALK.WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS NOT ONLY IRRESPONSIBLE FISCALLY, IT'S DANGEROUS.
I COME FROM THE BACKGROUND WHERE I CARRY CASH.
I HAD TO WALK 50 FEET TO MY CAR. THAT WAS IT.
YOU'RE PUTTING THESE YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN IN DANGER BY FORCING THEM TO WALK OUTSIDE OF THIS PAID PARKING AREA.
YOU'RE ALSO DOING FISCAL DAMAGE BY ASKING THEM TO PAY, TAKE A REDUCTION IN THEIR PAY BY FORCING THEM TO PAY WHEN A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE WORK SEVEN, EIGHT HOUR SHIFTS. NOW YOU'RE EATING INTO THEIR INCOME AS WELL. THIS IS JUST FROM HOSPITALITY STANDPOINT. THIS IS JUST A REALLY BAD DECISION. AN INCREDIBLY BAD DECISION.
AGAIN, THIS IS WHERE I COME FROM.
THIS IS WHAT I DO. AND I CAN'T IMAGINE LOOKING AT THESE SERVERS AND THESE BARTENDERS AND SAYING, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN, KIDS.
WALK TEN BLOCKS. IT'S JUST IRRESPONSIBLE.
IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE TO VOTE ON THIS WHEN YOU KNOW WE'RE VOTING ON THIS IN AUGUST. WHY? WHY ARE YOU RUSHING INTO THIS? IF WE VOTE TO IMPLEMENT IT, GREAT. FANTASTIC.
AT LEAST YOU'VE GIVEN US OUR SAY WITHOUT OVERRIDING US FIRST.
LET US AS A GROUP HAVE OUR OWN VOICE IN THIS.
BEFORE YOU SIGN US AWAY TO A $30 MILLION BOND WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY BACK. AGAIN, FISCAL IRRESPONSIBILITY.
I CAN BALANCE A CHECKBOOK. I CERTAINLY CAN'T RUN A $240 MILLION BUDGET. BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT IF MY ROOF NEEDS DONE, I DON'T GO AND BUY A PAIR OF LOUIS VUITTONS. YOU MAKE SMART DECISIONS.
PLEASE AND THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT
NIGHT. >> THANK YOU, MS. RUBY.
AND WE HAVE MR. CAMERON MOSS NEXT.
>> CAMERON MOSS, 3435 SEA MARSH ROAD, FERNANDINA BEACH.
PROUD RESIDENT OF AMELIA ISLAND FOR SEVEN YEARS.
DO NOT LIVE IN THE CITY ORDINANCE. I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A THING WHEN I BOUGHT PROPERTY HERE.
THESE ARE MY OPINIONS NOT PREVIEWED OR REVIEWED WITH ANYONE ON THE COMMISSION OR IN CITY GOVERNMENT.
AND QUICK NOTE FOR THE RECORD, PAID PARKING IS MONETIZING A CITY ASSET. SO LET'S JUST BE CLEAR, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE DOING. ON SEPTEMBER 12, 1962 PRESIDENT KENNEDY GAVE HIS FAMOUS MOON SPEECH AT RICE UNIVERSITY. WITH THE GOAL TO PERSUADE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO SUPPORT NASSAU'S EFFORT TO SEND A MANNED SPACE FLIGHT TO THE MOON. QUOTE, BUT WHY SOME SAY THE MOON? WHY CHOOSE THIS AS OUR GOAL? AND THEY MAY WELL ASK WHY CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN, WHY 35 YEARS AGO FLY THE ATLANTIC. WHY DOES RICE PAY TAXES.
WE CHOOSE O TO GO TO MOON. WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON IN THIS DECADE AND DO THE OTHER THINGS.
NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE EASY. BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE HARD. BECAUSE THAT GOAL WILL SERVE TO ORGANIZE AND MEASURE THE BEST OF OUR ENERGIES AND SKILLS BECAUSE THAT CHALLENGE IS ONE THAT WE ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT WHEN WE ARE UNWILLING TO POSTPONE AND ONE WHICH WE INTEND TO WIN. WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE IS HARD.
ESPECIALLY WHEN OUR POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT PUT TRUTH AND FACTS UNDER CONTINUAL ASSAULT AND SADLY WE SEE THIS IN FERNANDINA BEACH. OPPONENTS CONJURED UP LEGAL ATTACKS FITNESS OF TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, TRYING TO BLOCK THE LAWFUL ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY WHILE ALSO TRYING TO SHIFT POWER IN THE COMMISSION.
AWAY FROM THOSE NEWLY ELECTED WITH UNFOUNDED ACCUSATIONS OF MISDEEDS.
IN EFFECT, THE PAID PARKING COMPONENTS ARE TRYING PRIMARY COMMISSIONERS OUT OF THE WAY. THAT'S NOT HOW THIS COUNTRY AND CITY SHOULD WORK. PROCESSES FOR INTRODUCING THIS FEATURE IN FERNANDINA BEACH.
THE HORSES IN THE CITY CALLING FOR A MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT NEED TO BE HEARD AND ADDRESSED.
THE CITY SHOULD MAKE A CONCERTED TRANSPARENT EFFORT TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR PRUDENT STEWARDSHIP OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, STAFF AND FINANCE. THE CURRENT MEANS OF REPORTING, ACTIONS AND RESULTS CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO PENETRATE.
TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE WHAT ACTIONS ARE WE TAKING TO BE MORE EFFICIENT.
WHAT ACTIONS HAVE WE TAKEN TO ASSESS VALUE AND QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED. HOW CAN THE CITY RELIABLY AND SUSTAINABLY MANAGE FISCAL ASSETS TO AVOID FAIL YURTS.
WHATEVER THE STORY IS, DELIVERING IN A WAY
[01:15:03]
THAT REQUESTICLY MAKES SENSE AND HELPS PEOPLE UNDERSTAND CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT. PLEASE STAY THE COURSE ON THIS HARD THING THAT JFK ALLUDED TO.IT'S UNPROVEN. AND IT HAS REAL RISKS THAT NEED TO BE MANAGED. I APPLAUD YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE WELL BEING OF THE CITY AND REGION.
IT'S HARD. AND IT'S OFTEN THANKLESS AND COMES WITH WHOLLY UNFAIR ABUSE.
AND YOUR PERSEVERANCE THROUGH THIS GAUNTLET DEMANDS RESPECT. EVEN FROM YOUR OPPONENTS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MOSS. I HAVE NO OTHER REQUESTS TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COMMISSION OR DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE WITH THE AMENDMENTS 1 AND 2 INCLUDED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION? VICE MAYOR?
>> SO, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS COMMISSION, MOST OF YOU ALL DON'T SEE BECAUSE I GET HERE KIND OF EARLY.
BUT I PARKED IN THE BACK HERE. AND I COME IN THROUGH THESE BACK DOORS WHERE THE BATHROOMS ARE.
AND IF YOU NOTICE THERE'S A HALLWAY. IF YOU COME DOWN THAT HALLWAY, THAT LEADS YOU TWO THESE TWO DOORS.
EVEN WHEN NOBODY IS IN HERE. I COME THROUGH THAT DOOR RIGHT THERE.
I COME THROUGH THAT DOOR BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE EVERY CITIZEN COMES THROUGH BECAUSE THAT WHAT I AM.
I'M A CITIZEN. NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU, ME, WE'RE ALL THE SAME. RIGHT? I JUST GOT ELECTED TO SIT UP HERE AND DO WHAT THE CITIZENS WANT. AND IT'S A STARK REMINDER WHEN I COME THROUGH THAT DOOR THAT THAT'S WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO. I'M A CITIZEN NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYBODY ELSE. AND I DON'T BELIEVE THIS COMMISSION IS DOING THE WILL OF THE CITIZENS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AT ALL. AND I THINK THAT THIS COMMISSION HAS BEEN GIVEN MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE THE CITIZENS THEIR VOTE TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE IT.
I BELIEVE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY WOULD VOTE DOWN PAID PARKING TOMORROW IF YOU ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN. BUT IF I'M WRONG, OKAY.
THAT'S OKAY. BUT AT LEAST WE KNOW, AT LEAST WE HAVE THE VOTE. AT LEAST WE HAVE THE MANDATE AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH A BETTER PARKING -- PAID PARKING SYSTEM THAN WHAT WE ARE EVEN TRYING TO PUT IN RIGHT NOW.
I SPENT A LOT OF TIME LOOKING AT THIS AND EVALUATING IT.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S NOT A SINGLE NO PAID PARKING PERSON THAT I'VE TALKED TO THAT HAS SAID THAT THEY DON'T WANT THIS TO GO TO A VOTE. EVERY SINGLE NO PAID PARKINGPARKING PERSON LET'S PUT IT TO A VOTE. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
SOME OF THEM HAVE THEIR REASONS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO CHANGE THE CULTURE. THEY DON'T WANT TO BE DOUBLE TAXED. WHATEVER THEY REASON IS, OKAY.
THEY WANT TO PUT IT TO A VOTE. OTHER THAN TODAY WHEN I GOT AN EMAIL WHICH THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER SEEN IT THAT THERE WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS FOR PAID PARKING THAT SAID PUT IT TO A VOTE. ALMOST EVERYBODY THAT I RUN INTO THAT IS FOR PAID PARKING REFUSES TO WANT TO SEE THIS GO TO A VOTE.
TO ME, AND EVEN IF THEY HAVE THEIR REASONS FOR WHY SOME OF THEM ARE, THEY DON'T WANT MORE TRAFFIC DOWNTOWN. SOME OF THEM ARE THEY WANT TO -- THEY WANT THE REVENUE STREAM. AGAIN, THAT'S ALL GREAT. BUT NONE OF THEM WAN% TO SEE THIS GO TO A CITIZEN'S VOTE.
AND I THINK THAT THAT IS THE MOST STARK CONTRAST THAT I CAN ABSOLUTELY SEE.
IS THAT THERE'S PEOPLE THAT WANT DEMOCRACY AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SIDE OF THE AISLE YOU'RE ON AND THERE'S PEOPLE THAT DON'T. AND THIS IS ABOUT POWER AND THIS IS ABOUT PUSHING IT THROUGH.
AND I'M HERE TO DO THE WILL OF THE CITIZENS.
AND I'M WILLING TO CONTINUE TO VOTE NO ON PAID PARKING UNTIL IT'S GONE FROM FERNANDINA BEACH.
>> THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER ER TUTEN?
[8.3 MASTER FEE SCHEDULE AMENDMENT - ORDINANCE 2025-14 AMENDING THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE 2025-09 BY AMENDING THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE FEE SCHEDULE TO PROVIDE FOR PAID PARKING FEES WITHIN THE PAID PARKING AREA IN FY 2025/2026; AUTHORIZING ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENER'S ERRORS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Synopsis: Amends the Master Fee Schedule established by Ordinance 2025-09 to provide for paid parking fees]
>> NO, THAT'S ALL RIGHT. THAT PASSES 4-1.
WHICH BRINGS US ON TO ITEM 8. 3.
W. ALL RIGHT, FOLKS, WE'LL RECONVENE THE MEETING. WE HAVE ONE MORE ITEM TO VOTE ON BEFORE WE GO TO OUR CITY MANAGER REPORT.
>> CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 2025- 14 WHICH AMENDS THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE. THIS IS IN CORRELATION TO THE PREVIOUS ITEM. THIS SETS THE SCHEDULE OF FEES RELATED TO THE PAID PARKING PROGRAM.
THOSE ARE ITEIZED THERE IN EXHIBIT A FOR YOU.
[01:20:01]
AND THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL AND I'LL HAVE ATTORNEY PRINCE READ MY TITLEONLY. >> THANK YOU, MS. CAMPBELL.
>> ORDINANCE 2025- 14 ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA AMENDING THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE 2025- 09 BY AMENDING THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE FEE SCHEDULE TO PROVIDE FOR PAID PARKING FEES WITHIN THE PAID PARKING AREA IN FISCAL YEAR YEAR 2025, 2026. AUTHORIZING ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION SCRIVENER ERRORS, PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE AND I WOULD LIKE TO STATE FOR THE RECORD LITTLE LATE NOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LEFT, CONCERN -- THIS ORDINANCE YOU ADOPT A FEE SCHEDULE EACH YEAR.
AND THE FEES THAT ARE ALLOWED TO BE CHARGED FOR PAID PARKING ARE IN THIS ORDINANCE AND TO BE CHANGED THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO YOU IN AN ORDINANCE FORM, THAT'S JUST TO CLARIFY ANY OF THOSE COMMENTS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MS. PRINCE. DO I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. CAMP BELL OR MS. PRINCE?
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION. SEEING NONE, MS. BEST, PLEASE START THE VOTE.
[9. CITY MANAGER REPORTS]
>> THANK YOU. THAT PASSED 4-1.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 9 OUR CITY MANAGER REPORT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. SEVERAL ITEMS FOR YOU TONIGHT.
THE FIRST ONE IS RELATED TO THE UPCOMING MLK DAY PARADE.
THE EVENT ORGANIZERS REACHED OUT TODAY.
THEY HAVE NOT YET MADE APPLICATION FOR THE PARADE.
AND THEY WERE UNAWARE THAT THE FEES HAD CHANGED FROM LAST YEAR. AND WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A FEE WAIVER. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING DOCUMENTED TO GIVE YOU. THE PARADE WOULD TAKE PLACE BEFORE OUR NEXT COMMISSION MEETING.
BUT THE FEES WOULD BE ABOUT $1,100. AND WANTED TO GET A CONSENSUS FROM THE COMMISSION WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO GRANT A WAIVER FOR NOW UNTIL THEIR PAPERWORK IS COMPLETE AND COULD BRING IT TO YOU FORMALLY AND APPROVE IT RETROACTIVELY.
>> THE PARADE PERMIT FEE IS STILL $25, RIGHT?
>> SO IT'S THREE POLICE OFFICERS.
>> BUT IN THE PAST WE'VE NEVER CHARGED THE MLK PARADE FOR THOSE POLICE OFFICERS.
>> PERHAPS CHIEF TAMBASCO WOULD PREFER TO SPEAK IT TO, BUT I'M HAPPY TO AS WELL.
>> JEFF TAMBASCO, POLICE DEPARTMENT.
LAST YEAR IN 2025, SUBSEQUENT TO THE MLK PARADE, WE DECIDED THAT WE COULD NO LONGER SUPPORT PARADE INTERSECTIONS WITH ON DUTY PERSONNEL BECAUSE WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THEY CAN STAY IN THOSE INTERSECTIONS.
IF AN EMERGENCY WAS TO OCCUR, THEY WOULD HAVE TO VACATE THAT INTERSECTION, WHICH WOULD THEN IN RETURN MAKE THE PARADE ROUTE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. SO WE STARTED CHARGING FOR THREE OFFICERS AND A SUPERVISOR BECAUSE WE IDENTIFIED THREE CRITICAL INTERSECTIONS ON THE PARADE ROUTE AND THEN A SUPERVISOR TO MANAGE THAT ANDAND STILL REQUIRES ATTENTION FROM OUR ON DUTY PERSONNEL.
BUT WE'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT IF THEY GET PULLED, THOSE FOUR THAT ARE WORKING THE PARADE COULD MANAGE IT. SO THAT WAS THE WHOLE REASON BEHIND MOVING FORWARD RIGHT AFTER THE MLK PARADE WE DECIDED TO MANDATE OFFICERS OFF DUTY TOTO HAND IT WILL PARADES AND WE'VE DONE THAT WITH EVERY PARADE SINCE.
>> ARE WE WAIVING FEES FOR OTHER PARADES.
WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR THE SHRIMP
FEST PARADE. >> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
WE HAVEN'T BEEN REQUESTED -- >> BUT THAT'S SEPARATE PART OF THEIR FRANCHISE AGREEMENT?
>> I BELIEVE SO. THAT'S COVERED SEPARATELY.
>> SO WE'RE GOING TO CHARGE THIS FOR THE VETERANS DAY PARADE? WE'RE GOING TO CHARGE THIS FOR THE LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE? WE'RE GOING TO CHARGE THEM 11, $1,200? I MEAN, THE GROUPS THAT PUT THOSE PARADES TOGETHER DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY.
>> WE JUST HAD TWO OF THOSE EVENTS.
DID WE CHARGE THEM? AND DID THOSE EVENT ORGANIZERS
>> WE DID CHARGE BUT WE DIDN'T FILL ALL THE SPOTS SO WE HAD TO BACK FILL THEM WITH POLICEOVER
TIME. >> SO FOR THE CHRISTMAS PARADE LAST MONTH, DID WE CHARGE?
>> I BELIEVE WE DID CHARGE, MR. GILBERT FOR THAT.
>> I ASSUME SO. IT'S THROUGH OUR THIRD PARTY
[01:25:05]
VENDOR. >> I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT --
>> THAT AMERICA'S YOUTH HAS THAT KIND OF MONEY. WELL, THE OTHER ISSUE FOR ME IS PARADES. I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE WITH POLICE. BUT THERE'S A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO SOME OF THESE PARADES.
AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE IN OUR ORDINANCE THE ABILITY TO ASK FOR UNDER FINANCIAL PROBLEMS THAT WE COULD WAIVE THESE CHARGES OR THAT WE COULD SUSPEND THEM. SO I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE CHARGING THE MLK FOLKS FOR THIS KIND OF MONEY.
>> WE IF I MAY, I THINK MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE WOULD BE THAT WE'RE CONSISTENT ACROSS THE
>> HOW WE TREAT EVERYONE. I DO AGREE THE CONCERN OF THE $1,100 FEE, BUT THE OTHER PIECE OF THAT TO THE POINT OF ALL THE CITIZENS WHO HAD MENTIONINGS, IF THIS COMMISSION CHOOSES TO WAIVE FEES AND WE'RE ACCUSED OF MISMANAGING OUR BUDGET, THEN I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CONSISTENT IN HOW WE RESPOND TO THAT. SO I WOULD BE OPEN TO MAYBE CREATING SOME KIND OF HARDSHIP POLICY IF THERE'S AN ORGANIZATION THAT CAN'T PAY THAT AMOUNT OF FEE AND THERE'S A REASONABLE CONCESSION. BUT I DO WANT TO -- AS CONSISTENTLY AS POSSIBLE BE WILLING TO CHARGE THAT FEE TO SUPPORT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>> IT'S EITHER WE'RE GOING TO CHARGE OR WE'RE NOT GOING TO CHARGE ANYBODY.
>> WE HAVE THE FEE WAIVER POLICY, BUT THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT IT IN TIME FOR US TO GET IT ON AN AGENDA TO YOU. THIS IS AT LEAST THE SECOND TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE WHERE WE HAD TO COME IN BETWEEN MEETINGS TO ASK YOU BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT SUBMITTED IN TIME FOR AN AGENDA. SO ARE YOU ASKING US TO WAIVE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE APPLICATION OR WAIVE THE
FEE. >> I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS THE PARADE TO TAKE PLACE. UNDERSTANDS THEY'RE NOT IN POSITION TO PAY. BUT YOUR THE ONLY BODY THAT CAN FORMALLY WAIVE THAT. W. I'M OKAY WITH WAIVING THE FEE AND US FIGURING IT OUT LATER.
THEY DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO MAKE THE FEE WAIVER.
THEY DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO PUT THE PAPERWORK IN TO ASK FOR THE WAIVER.
ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION DOING THE PARADE CAN DO THE SAME THING. THEY JUST DIDN'TDIDN'T GET IN IN TIME. I'M OKAY APPROVING FEE WAIVERWAIVER COMING BACK TO US. THAT ORGANIZATION PUTS ON A LOT OF GREAT THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND OF COURSE WE ALL WANT TO SEE THAT PARADE HAPPEN. I'M UNFORTUNATELY NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND, BUT I'M OKAY WITH WAIVING THE FEE RIGHT NOW AND THEN WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT LATER. W. THANK YOU.
CONSENSUS. >> MY OVERTIME BUDGET WILL ALLOW FOR THAT AS WELL.
YOU. >> AND I THINK WE HAVE A HARDSHIP. WHEN I WORK WITH THE PREVIOUS CITY, ATTORNEY ABOUT THE ORDINANCES, I THINK THERE IS A HARDSHIP PROCESS IN THE
I WASN'T AWARE THIS WAS COMING UP TONIGHT. I DO AGREE WITH CITY MANAGER CAMPBELL. THERE IS A PROCESS TO WAIVE IT.
I BELIEVE I REMEMBER SEEING A HARDSHIP. THIS IS MORE ABOUT TIMING.
I'M GUESSING THIS WILL BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA TO RATIFY THIS DECISION.
COMMISSION IS AWARE BUT I WANTED TO PUBLICLY UPDATE EVERYONE ABOUT THE ORG CHART CHANGES THAT I IMPLEMENTED BEFORE CHRISTMAS. THIS IS IN LINE WITH WHAT THE CITY'S ADOPTED BUDGET HAD FOR 24/25, 25/26 WHICH IS THE REALIGNMENT OF OUR DEPUTIES.
SO JEREMIAH GLISTEN IS OUR DEPUTY CITY MANAGER OVER OPERATIONS WHICH INCLUDES PARKS AND RECREATION. OUR DEPUTY CITY MANAGER OVER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INCLUDES BUILDING, PLANNING, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND CAPITAL PROJECTS.
SO YOU CAN SEE HOW THE REPORTING COMMAND CHAIN LOOKS. IT HAS STREAMLINED OUR PYRAMID A GOOD BIT INSTEAD OF ME HAVING 14 DIRECT REPORTS I HAVE 9, WHICH IS MUCH MORE MANAGEABLE AND THESE GENTLEMEN ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AT HANDLING THESE AREAS. SO, ONE MORE THING THAT WE'VE CHECKED OUR OUR LIST OF THINGS TO DO. I HAVE THE FOURTH QUARTER UPDATE ON YOU ON OUR STRATEGIC GOALS. I'LL PASS THOSE DOWN.
AND FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THOSE. WE HAVE OUR NEXT STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 12 TH AT THE GOLF COURSE. IT WILL BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT FORMAT FROM LAST YEAR. WE DON'T ANTICIPATE HAVING EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD GO THROUGH A LENGTHY SLIDE PRESENTATION.
[01:30:03]
I THINK EVERYBODY IS UP TO SPEED ON WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING. WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING. AND THEN REALLY SPEND THE TIME HEARING FROM THE FIVE OF YOU ON YOUR GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR THE UPCOMING SEVERAL YEARS HOPEFULLY, LONGER THAN JUST ONE YEAR.I THINK A LOT OF THESE GOALS ON THIS SHEET ARE LONGER THAN ONE YEAR GOALS. I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY OF THEM GOING AWAY. WE NEED TO ADD TO OUR HORIZON, WHAT'S THE FIVE YEAR AND TEN YEAR AND HEAR FROM THOSE.
PUBLIC COMMENT WOULD BE PLANNED FOR AND THEN AGAIN WE WOULD FORMALIZE THAT AFTER THE FACT ONCE YOU'VE PRIORITIZED WHAT THOSE NEW GOALS ARE.
I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT UNLESS YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ME.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. CAMPBELL?
THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING THE ORG CHART. IT'S GREAT TO SEE.
[10. CITY CLERK REPORTS]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. WE PUBLISHED THE JANUARY 12TH TOWN HALL MEETING TODAY.
AND IT'S GOING TO BE HELD HERE IN CHAMBERS AT 5:00 P.M.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND. WE'LL BE PRESENTING ON THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. RECREATION CENTER SPORTS FEE RECONFIGURATION. SPORTS FIELD IMPROVEMENTS.
THE ESSENTIAL PARK REHABILITATION.
THAT'S AT 5:00 P.M. THE AGENDA
IS ONLINE. >> THANK YOU, MS. BEST.
[11. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS]
ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. BEST? SEEING NONE, MADAMEATTORNEY. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
ONE ITEM I WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT WE EXPECT TO HAVE ON YOUR JANUARY 20TH AGENDA IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE PROPOSING FOR YOU AN ORDINANCE WHICH WOULD MOVE YOU FROM HAVING A CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD TO HAVING A SPECIAL MAGISTRATE HERE NOTICE A OF VIOLATIONS AND LEVY FINES. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT AFTER I STARTED WITH THE CITY AUGUST 4TH, I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS DISCUSSED AT YOUR VISIONING SESSION AND I WAS ASKED TO LOOK INTO IT, CITY MANAGER CAMPBELL AND I DISCUSSED IT BECAUSE I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES MOVE IN THIS DIRECTION, SO WE HAVE PREPARED IT FOR YOU.
IT WILL BE ON JANUARY 20TH. IT WOULD DISSOLVE THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD AND APPEALS AS OF MAY 1ST IS THE WAY WE DRAFTED, I BELIEVE.
BUT THAT BOARD WOULD STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION UP UNTIL THAT DATE. WE WOULD CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THEIR CONTINUED SERVICE.
I DON'T MEAN TO SPEAK FOR YOU, BUT WE DO NEED OUR ENFORCEMENT BOARD UNTIL WE MAKE THE CHANGE IF YOU CHOOSE TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE, BUT THAT WILL BE COMING TO YOU JANUARY 20TH.
AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL WERE AWARE OF IT.
>> AND THEN WE HAVE STARTED -- WE HAVE INTERVIEWS STARTED TO FILL THE POSITION IN MY OFFICE NEXT WEEK WE HAVE A FEW QUICK INTERVIEWS, JUST INITIAL MEET AND GREET INTERVIEWS FOR NEXT WEEK.
WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THAT.
[12. MAYOR/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS]
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. PRINCE?
>> COMMISSIONER MINSHEW? >> JUST HAPPY NEW YEAR AND LOOK FORWARD TO A LOT OF HARD WORK AND CONTINUED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND THE COMING YEAR.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR. JUST TWO QUICK THINGS THE MUSEUM IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET HAS RIGHT WELL EXHIBIT. THAT IS REALLY SPECTACULAR.
AND THIS SATURDAY AND NEXT SATURDAY THE 10TH AND THE 17TH CONSERVE NASSAU IT WILL BE WEEDING THE POLLINATOR GARDEN AT EGAN'S CREEK ON ATLANTIC AVENUE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME OUT AND HELP US ON YOUR HANDS AND KNEES, WE PULL, CHAT, EVEN 15 MINUTES OF WEED PULLING WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
GET AHEAD OF THE WEEDS IN THE SPRING.
BEFORE THE SPRING KICKS IN. THAT'S IT.
THIS SATURDAY THE 10TH WE'RE MEETING AT 11:00 A.M.
>> THE DIRECTOR OVER ATMOS QUITO CONTROL MS. BRUCE HIGHERS RETIRED WITH OVER FOUR DECADES OF SERVICE TO THAT DISTRICT.
SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW. I USED TO SERVE ON THAT COMMISSION WITH MR. KELLY AS MS. BASS JONES AND NOW. IT'S A GREAT COMMISSION.
IT'S A GREAT DISTRICT. IT WAS REALLY LED BY BRUCE AND BRUCE WAS -- HE'S GOING TO BE SORELY MISSED. BETWEEN HIS WORK AND THE COMMISSION WE HAD THERE, THAT DISTRICT IS SET UP FOR SUCCESS.
I WANT TO WISH MR. BRUCE HIGHERS A VERY HAPPY AND WELLWELL DESERVED RETIREMENT.
[01:35:01]
YOU DESERVE IT. THAT'S IT.>> THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR. I WANT TO ANNOUNCE THE CHARITY GOLF EVENT BEYOND THE BADGES FOR THE CITY POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.
YEAH, POLICE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO BE ON FEBRUARY 21ST ON THE CITY GOLF COURSE.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING ABLE TO PLAY IN THAT LAST YEAR I'M AFRAID WITH THE NEW BABY MY WIFE SNOT GOING TO LET ME PLAY THIS YEAR. AND ITALIAN NIGHT WILL BE AT THE CITY GOLF COURSE ON JANUARY 30TH.
PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATION BEFORE THE 26TH.
WITH THAT, WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.