Fernandina Beach runoff candidates face off at CFOF Candidates Forum

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

December 3, 2017 8:14 p.m.

Candidates facing each other in the December 12, 2017 runoff election for Fernandina Beach City Commission: Orlando Avila (l) and Ronald J. "Chip" Ross

Thursday night’s Candidates Forum sponsored by the Concerned Friends of Fernandina (CFOF) featured candidates Orlando Avila and Ronald J. “Chip” Ross, who will face off in the December 12, 2017 runoff election in hopes of replacing retiring commissioner Robin Lentz. For almost an hour and a half, the candidates responded to 14 questions prepared in advance and 3 questions submitted in writing from audience members. No explanation was provided regarding authorship of the questions, but moderator Chuck Hall said that candidates had not been privy to the questions prior to the forum.

Audience members and local media packed City Hall Commission Chambers. There was standing room only left by the start of the forum. By the end of closing statements, both candidates appeared drained, as did many audience members, some of whom left before the end.

The forum in its entirety may be viewed on the City of Fernandina Beach website under Specialty Recordings (http://fernandinabeachfl.swagit.com/play/11302017-660).

The questions covered a wide range of topics, including parking, wetlands, development, and sustainability. The positions of the candidates remained consistent with those voiced during forums held prior to the November General Election. Both candidates supported maintaining the current quality of life to include preservation and conservation, public safety and low taxes. However, they differed in their approaches to ensuring those goals are met.

Forum moderator Chuck Hall

Avila remained committed to supporting a balanced approach to development and redevelopment while respecting private property rights. Ross views following the city’s Comprehensive Plan as the best way to approach development proposals. While Avila appears to prefer using “common sense approaches” to dealing with community problems, Ross appears more absolutist in his approach, relying on words like “shall” in the Comprehensive Plan.

Both candidates appeared to agree that there is no serious parking problem in the Central Business District, supporting greater enforcement of existing time limits to increase the turnover of spaces. They also agreed that despite personal stands against the new airport terminal design, the project has moved to the construction phase, making it virtually impossible to stop or change at this point.

The topic of wetlands policy drew sharper distinctions. Ross supports an absolute prohibition against filling wetlands, regardless of grade, citing the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Avila also agreed that filling wetlands was not desirable, but he indicated that he believes that the city has a good wetlands policy and that weight should be given to subject matter experts such as the St. John’s River Water Management District.

The candidates also expressed different approaches to the question of combining lots along the beach. Avila said that property owners should be able to develop their land to its best possible use consistent with law and policy. He said the challenge is to preserve both high quality areas and property rights. He asked, “If it doesn’t make sense, why do it?’ Ross cited the importance of maintaining beach access and view corridors, suggesting that the city revisit the Land Development Code “to make sure that everyone plays by the same rules.” He singled out height requirements as particularly problematic.

Development issues and the impact of growth were concerns underlying several questions. Ross continued to emphasize the need to follow the Comprehensive Plan in addressing these issues. With respect to the impact of the planned community of Wildlight, Ross suggested that since 60 percent of the county’s ad valorem taxes come from the city, the county should step in to help with solutions to problems of increased need for beach parking that such development might cause. Avila suggested that since this is a planned community that will be built over many years, any impact on the island and the beaches would be gradual, making increased traffic and beach usage manageable.

Both candidates seemed to believe that the Golf Course should be a part of the city’s future, despite continuing financial difficulties. They agreed that the large green space the Golf Course provides is a benefit to the city. Avila suggested that perhaps, in light of a downward trend in the demand for golf nationwide, the city might consider expanding recreational offerings for course members to include tennis courts or a swimming pool. Ross said that he would never agree to sell or develop the golf course, but would like to see additional activities added to improve the revenue stream.

Chip Ross

With respect to preserving the city’s tree canopy, Ross supported enforcing the tree ordinance and adding an arborist to city staff. He supported a public/private partnership to add lands to conservation. Avila supported the current tree ordinance and pointed to a helpful pamphlet the city has produced to help property owners understand their obligations. Like Ross, he also supported the creation of a private organization or partnership to purchase land for conservation. He said that the city cannot do this on its own and might look toward an outside group to encourage donations of land or legacy giving to purchase land for conservation.

A question about mitigating effects from sea level rise also brought out contrasts between the candidates. Avila said he supported a holistic, multifaceted approach that would improve drainage and institute sound planning and funding mechanisms to fix today’s problems and those of future generations. Ross said that there is a flooding problem today and that “we need to flood proof the island.” He suggested fixes to building codes that could potentially lower flood insurance premiums.

Orlando Avila

The candidates were asked to assess the financial position of the city. Avila said he thought the city was in “a decent position.” He emphasized the need for a balanced tax base, embracing the benefits of redeveloping existing, underutilized or abandoned developed areas for commercial and residential use. He said that the city should encourage existing businesses to expand and create more economic opportunity for young families. Ross suggested that the city take advantage of talent in the community and recreate the Financial Advisory Committee “to drill down on the budget.” He also said that the city needs to be more mindful of maintenance costs in reviewing new projects.

Candidates were asked to address the Port Element in the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Ross said that the city’s Planning Advisory Board had addressed this issue and made recommendations that were not forwarded to the City Commission. He suggested that should be done. He also indicated that he supports the Port and had worked to limit HAZMAT materials from being stored at the port. Avila cited an opinion from City Attorney Tammi Bach regarding the limits of the city’s ability to interfere with shipping. He expressed optimism that the city might have a better working relationship with what appears to be the new owner of Nassau Terminals. He expressed a need to examine the bigger problem of HAZMAT storage and handling, not just limited to the Port.

Density was another topic that brought out differences between the candidates. In response to what some considered a loaded question – Do you support staff’s push for higher density in the city? – Ross replied he did not. He again cited requirements of the Comprehensive Plan, which he believed had not been met in the most recent increase of downtown density. He elaborated on his recent unsuccessful appeal of that decision before an Administrative Law Judge. He said he had not been seeking financial gain through that action, but wanted to cure what he perceived as violations of the city Comprehensive Plan. He cited the need to preserve neighborhoods and consider the results of what he views as a mandated housing needs assessment study to justify density increases.

Avila expressed his belief that a vibrant urban core is necessary to the health of a city and that increasing the density can help achieve that. He said that the recent approval of density increase only for the urban core allows for the increase of smaller residential spaces above storefronts “that could be workforce housing.” He said that “this could work into something very positive for our town.”  He stressed his support for redevelopment.  "The more we can redevelop, the more greenspace we can save from new development," he said.  Avila suggested that citizens should preserve what they want but not stifle economic opportunities.

There were three audience questions selected by the forum organizers. The first dealt with defining the commissioner’s role as “a good steward” of taxpayers’ money. The second solicited candidates’ opinions on opening the Alachua rail crossing with taxpayer money. The third asked how candidates would insure the long-term sustainability of industry in the city.

Avila said that it is the job of a commissioner to study issues in order to make the best decisions on behalf of taxpayers today and into the future. He said that part of being a good steward is looking for ways to streamline government operations and service delivery. Ross said that he is a fiscal conservative who believes in living within one’s means. He criticized the current commissioners for not explaining both the upsides and downsides of decisions they make, claiming that is part of their job to educate the public.

With respect to the Alachua crossing, Ross said the city should get more data before moving forward to spend $500-800K on this project. He expressed his concern that such a move might not even be physically possible given land constraints. He said that based upon his research he believed that the railroad had agreed in the late 1800’s to pay for additional crossings, claiming that he has been asking the City Attorney to explore this. He expressed his preference for a less expensive pedestrian walkover. Avila said that he believed that opening the crossing would be a spur to economic development in the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). This redevelopment would bring in revenues to offset the cost of construction of the crossing. He added that he would like to get all the information to make the best decision in the interest of all the people.

On sustaining local industry, Avila said that he supports local industry and business interests not just because they provide jobs directly, but because of the ancillary jobs they foster. He said he would encourage good partnerships with the city promoting cooperation, collaboration and communication. Ross agreed that the mills are important, but that they are only one part of the community. He supported workshops with all parts of the community that would allow all citizens to participate before crises arise.

In closing remarks, Ross addressed what he characterized as “untrue, divisive comments” about him on local social media and blogs about his past, his character and his ability to work with other people, in some cases rehashing legal matters involving the Tiki Bar to which he was a party when he lived in Maryland.  He read from two unsolicited letters, one from a judge and one from a hospital coworker, attesting to his intelligence, persistence and integrity, his compassion and kindness. He concluded by saying, “If you share my vision for the quality of life on this island, please vote for me on December 12.”

Avila began by thanking the event sponsors. “I’m running because I live here, I love this town,” he said. “I’m raising my family here, I’m running a business here. We’re committed, invested, and we want this place to be the best it can be.” He expressed his desire to increase economic opportunity, preserve and protect it. He supported keeping taxes low by maintaining an economically diverse tax base. “We have a gem here,” he said, “and we get to live here.” He said that the overwhelmingly positive response from visitors is “a testament to the people who live here.” He asked people for their vote and urged them to vote on December 12.”

Tony Ferreira and Jan Cote Merow

Concerned Friends of Fernandina (CFOF) board members served as moderator (Chuck Hall) and timekeepers (Jan Cote Merow and Tony Ferreira). Ron Sapp, one of the original members of the organization, originally called the Friends of Fernandina, introduced the session with a brief history of the organization and its work to gain public support for a bond referendum to purchase environmentally sensitive land, the genesis of the Greenway. He said that CFOF mobilizes to fight threats to the environment and quality of life, citing their unsuccessful fight to save Crane Island from development.

Ron Sapp

Sapp, an 11-time city commissioner, indicated that CFOF is a non-partisan group working across political boundaries to protect the environment. He said that CFOF  does not endorse candidates as an organization while allowing that members might personally endorse candidates. Sapp did not announce his personal endorsement, although it has been widely reported that he is Chip Ross’ campaign manager. Sapp also made a plea for contributions to help underwrite the cost of broadcasting the event.

Audience reaction to the candidates was polite and restrained. Upon exiting the event, some audience members said they had attended out of curiosity while others said the evening’s exchanges had not changed their mind about which candidate to support.

Background on topics covered during the forum for the most part has been extensively covered by the Fernandina Observer prior to and during the election season.  To read articles on the Alachua crossing, density discussions, the Ross appeal, and preserving greenspace, use the search function on the Fernandina Observer homepage.

The runoff election will take place on December 12, 2017.  While there is no "early voting" in the official sense, registered Fernandina Beach voters may cast a mail ballot in person prior to the election at the office of the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections in the Page Governmental Building, 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 3, Yulee, FL.  For more information on voting and polling places, visit www.votenassau.com or call the  Supervisor of Elections Office at (904) 491-7500.

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.