Fernandina Beach City Commission approves unanimously all business items on December 3, 2013 agenda

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

The Fernandina Beach City Commission, in something less than an hour, disposed of all business items on its agenda with little discussion, including:

• Purchase of a small parcel of vacant land located at North 14^th and Towngate Streets in Old Town for a price of $8,700, waiving the requirement for an appraisal, and paying for the parcel with Parks and Recreation impact fees.  The land will be used as passive parkland.
• Withholding the collection of $10,428.71 in impact fees for the construction of an animal control and adoption center for the city as per the initial agreement with the Nassau Humane Society, Inc.
• Preliminary and final plat approval for the Amelia Oaks subdivision, a 40-lot gated, residential development with a pool and clubhouse north of Sadler Road and east of the Egans Creek Greenway.  Primary access will be via Sadler Road; emergency access via Drury Road.
• Voluntary annexation of a 4.47-acre parcel of land and a 6.53-acre parcel of land located on Hirth Road at Amelia Island Parkway.  There were 6 ordinances associated with these actions, all approved on first reading, dealing with zoning changes and changes to the Future Land Use Map (FLUM).
• City code amendment to define “seat” in regard to sewer impact fees and water capacity fees.  To address commissioner concerns that highchairs or stacking chairs might be counted, City Attorney Bach inserted the word “regularly”.  This means that chairs used on occasion for special events or special circumstances would not be counted.  Bach stressed that this definition change will be applied prospectively only and that current food service providers would not be affected.
• Adding a requirement for voluntary annexation as part of the application for water service for properties outside the city limits.  This requirement parallels the requirement for provision of sewer service for similarly situated properties.

The item generating the most discussion was the final reading of Ordinance 2013-36, an item championed by Commissioner Boner, to prohibit possession, sale, distribution and display of synthetic drugs and drug paraphernalia.  Despite significant discussion during the first reading of this ordinance, Commissioner Pat Gass continued to question the need for such an ordinance, asking, “What does this ordinance do that others already on the books don’t do?”  She asked if it meant the city would need to hire more police.

FBPD Chief Jim Hurley and NACDAC Executive Director Susan Woodford

Commissioner Boner asked Fernandina Beach Police (FBPD) Chief Jim Hurley to address commissioner concerns.  The chief reiterated comments made during the first reading of this ordinance, including the strong support of the Florida Attorney General for such action.  He said that the passage of this ordinance sends a message:  “This is a community that doesn’t tolerate this type of drug use.”  By having this ordinance on the books, the FBPD will be able to better educate schools, parents and businesses about this problem.  Mayor Pelican said that she still had a problem with the sale of “products not for human consumption” for human consumption.

Susan Woodford, director of Nassau Alcohol Crime and Drug Abatement Coalition (NACDAC), joined Chief Hurley in stressing how important passage of this ordinance was for educational purposes.  She said that as a result of educational efforts, compliance with alcohol laws in the city had improved from 55% to 99%.

Commissioner Boner emphasized that the intent of this ordinance was to make things easier for those attempting to stem or prevent drug use among the city’s youth.

As her last official act, Commissioner Arlene Filkoff moved to approve the ordinance and Commissioner Boner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on second and final reading.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

December 8, 2013 4:13 p.m.