City of Fernandina Beach Commission Meeting 1/17/12…Buying or Selling

Last night’s commission meeting was “contentious” to say the least.  The evening began with discussions of the land purchased for dredging, the waterfront loan and “request for proposals” for the oversight and communication position…changed to remove the architectural and engineering description.  It appears there is $250,000 budgeted for this position running from 2 to 3 years and, as far as I can see, with a somewhat undefined scope.  Corbett and Bunch questioned the need, cost and duration.  I was a little confused by the removal of architectural or engineering from the job description and focus on communication. 

Commissioner Bunch and Corbett both raised the issue of soil testing before approving the purchase of the land.  As a real estate broker with experience selling or working with potentially contaminated land, they did the right thing.  Soil testing is inexpensive in the grand scheme of things and purchasing any commercial property with a mixed or unknown history is foolish without a Phase 1 or soil testing as needed. 

The greenway alternatives for restoration were also discussed.  Essentially, the options were 1) cut dead trees and let nature take it’s course 2) cut dead trees and plant for cosmetic reasons along paths and roadways or 3) Restore it all fully.  I know many of you may disagree, but any restoration might be temporary.  In even a small category 1 hurricane, the entire basin may flood, creating another tree kill and high soil salinity.  I’d prefer cutting trees and letting this naturally recover, but put the cost difference into some other greenway improvement…assuming DOT would buy this transfer of improvement.  The consultant’s recommendation was to do aesthetic planting.  See more here…. http://www.eganscreek.org/EgansCreek/project/ProjectInformation.aspx  I disagreed entirely with a full replanting.  That option simply seemed to be a waste of public money. 

Next, the loan for F2 was discussed at length along with a few key aspects of the plan.  Audience members talked about splitting the project, separating it into component parts…with referendum….at length.  I personally, believe the voter should come first.  I still feel the majority of the voters did not want the entire project or want the debt to move forward…only weeks before two new commissioners were seated.  The final push to begin the project and borrow money created or added to the division of the commission along F2 lines and even, in my opinion, added to the feeling that a change of administration was necessary to move forward. http://www.fbfl.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=6116  Public comments are on the CoFB website here and a summary is http://www.fbfl.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=6124 at the second link.  The majority of the feedback did not support F2.  I believe it is a mistake to move forward with a project like this without a referendum and it should have been “paused” until a new commission was in place.  Much of the tension, IMHO, was unnecessary and was a result of a move forward “in spite of the voter”. 

Regardless, what is past is past and now we must all move ahead as a community, hopefully listening carefully to the voter. 

Finally, the city attorney’s employment was discussed.  At least two commission members wanted to replace the attorney until it became apparent, she was under a perpetual/rollover contract.  I personally think it was far better to keep her in place.  Losing two key staff members at the same time would have created more confusion…in my opinion.   In the end she will remain and indicated she wanted to work with all the commissioners. 

My wishes for the city commission in the coming year?

1. Referendum for optional projects like components of F2 and leaving the loan and approval up to the voters.
2. Smaller gavels.
3. Requirement to obtain approval for change of agenda if an item is placed on the agenda by two commission members and then later pulled.
4. Mandatory call to be sure all commission members are contacted prior to a special meeting.  It was unclear if this happened last Friday.
5. No interruption of a commissioner with the floor by staff or scolding by staff. 
6. Move forward in a professional manner, putting the voter and fiscal responsibility first. 
7. Put the voter first!
8. Put the voter first!
9. Put the voter first!

We live in one of the most beautiful towns in America…and after all, we all want a better future, just disagree on how to get there.

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