How Much Is Our Beach Worth to its Users?

Submitted by

Main Beach Parking Lot

Susanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

The issue of pay-for-parking at the city’s beaches is once again up for consideration by the Fernandina Beach City Commission. On his way out the door, Deputy City Manager Dave Lott was asked to reduce to writing the final recommendations of the Beach Parking Advisory Group, which met from July to December 2011. City Project Officer /Engineer Glenn Semanisin chaired the group whose members included city staff, private citizens and Commissioner Arlene Filkoff. The group stopped meeting last year before issuing a final report when it appeared that the Fernandina Beach City Commission had abandoned the idea of paid parking at the beach due to public pressure. With the gloomy budget forecast for FY 2012-13, last month commissioners agreed to look at the issue once more as a possible way to enhance city revenues.

When Commissioner Tim Poynter resurrected this idea as a revenue generator, Mayor Arlene Filkoff stated that the city does not need to study the issue any further. Studies were conducted by the members of the Advisory Group who examined systems and communities similarly situated with paid beach parking in place. She said that what the FBCC needed was a proposal from that group and the political will to proceed.

Beach parking fees would only be used to offset the $500,000 spent annually for beach operations and maintenance, including:

• Lifeguards
•  Beach renourishment (annualized over 5 years)
•  Beach tilling & monitoring
•  Specialized response vehicles (ATV, jet skit, 4WD)
•  Restroom cleaning & maintenance
•  Boardwalk / walkway repairs & replacement
•  Utilities for lighting, water & sewer
•  Parking area maintenance

While the committee considered implementing a system involving kiosks, ultimately the members recommended instituting a permit system that would involve lower up front costs. City residents would be entitled to free permits for each registered vehicle up to 2 vehicles.  A $25 fee would be charged for more than 2 permits. Non-residents could purchase an annual permit for $95.  Weekly and daily permits would be sold by retail merchants as well as at city offices. The cost of a weekly permit:  $30; daily, $5. In each case merchants or lodging establishments selling the permits would receive a commission.

The group recommended that the city establish a beach parking zone to include:

• All primary and secondary City beach parking areas
• East of and including Tarpon/First Ave. to Bill Melton
• East of Ft. Clinch property north of 6^th Avenue

All vehicles parked in a city lot or right-of-way within that zone would be required to display a valid permit.  Police/Code Enforcement would handle enforcement. The Police Auxiliary would assist Code Enforcement, Patrol and Reserve Officers. Enforcement would be year-round, 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. Citations would be processed the same as existing violations.

Gross revenue projections range from $87K-$305K, with the most likely scenario projecting $244K.  Implementation expenses are estimated at $12,000 for signage, and about $116K annually for labor costs and merchant commissions. Net revenue projections range from a loss of $41K to a plus of $177K, with the most likely scenario projecting a net plus of $116,000.

The City Commission has not yet scheduled a discussion of this report. Since its adoption would have a bearing on the FY 2012-13 budget, odds are that it will surface during budget workshops or at the July 17 Regular FBCC meeting.

Editor's Note: An item to discuss beach pay for parking has now been placed on the agenda for the July 17 FBCC meeting.

July 4, 2012

6:45 a.m.