Press Release
By Nassau County Board of County Commissioners
05-24-24
Groundbreaking Held for New Station 90
On Monday, May 20, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony in celebration of the upcoming construction of a new Station 90. The new station will replace the structure that is currently being used with a new, modern facility. Following a competitive process, the Board awarded the bid for design/construction to ACON Construction Company, Inc. The new station will consist of 10,891 square feet and will feature four bays with an engine, rescue unit, tanker and a brush truck. It will also contain 11 sleeping quarters, four and a half restrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and an exercise room.
| Draft Community Building Blocks Survey |
The County launched Nassau Florida Vision 2050, a collaborative 18-month process involving local leaders, residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape the future of our community.
The project kicked off with extensive community engagement and a review of the County’s plans, studies, and existing conditions. Based on this input, draft “Community Building Blocks” have been developed, outlining core values that will guide recommendations and strategies for the Vision plan. Residents, business owners, and other community members are encouraged to share their thoughts on the Building Blocks through a new survey. The survey asks respondents to:
● Identify which values resonate with them.
● Describe their ideas for what these values could look like in practice.
Once participants take the quick 5-question survey, they will be entered in a raffle to win a local prize or experience in the County.
Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nassaubuildingblocks.
To learn more about the project, Nassau County Bicentennial events, and ways to get involved, please visit www.nassaufl2050.com.
Changes to Meeting Schedule & Procedures
During the Winter Strategic Planning Sessions held on February 29 and March 1, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners expressed a desire to amend evening meeting times and to make changes to the general rules for public comment and decorum. At the May 15, 2024 meeting, the Board subsequently approved Resolution No. 2024-092 amending the schedule of regular evening meetings, changing the order of business on the agenda, and revising the Rules of Decorum.
Beginning on June 3, 2024, the Board of County Commissioner meetings on the second and fourth Mondays will now start at 5:00 p.m., adjusted from the previous time of 6:00 p.m. Additionally, the Order of Business was modified to move general non-agenda public comment to the end of the meeting. As a reminder, comments can only be for items under the authority of the Board of County Commissioners and the time limit is three minutes.
The Rules of Decorum were updated to clarify guidelines for addressing the Board, including that all public participants wishing to address the Board shall complete a speaker card and present the card to the Deputy Clerk prior to the agenda item on which they wish to speak. The revisions also include new language/rules the speaker must follow when addressing the Board including a requirement that comments be directed to the Board as a whole (not individual Commissioners or staff) and that speakers not use abusive or obscene language when addressing the Board.
A copy of the revised Resolution can be found at https://nassaufl.co/BOCCMeetingResolution. If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
| Turtle Talk Tuesday |
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The Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch released some very exciting news this week, just in time for Turtle Talk Tuesday.
The Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch has always been happy to boast of 3 species of sea turtles nesting on the island. For the past 38 years, they have documented Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback Sea turtles nesting here. On Tuesday, Nassau County added a very rare species to its list of nesters. A very rare Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys Kempi) crawled onto the beach at ng about 9:00 AM. Kemp’s are the only species known to nest in daylight. They are the most endangered of all the species.
| Emergency Medical Services Week |
| At the Wednesday, May 15th meeting, the Board approved Proclamation No. 2024-25 proclaiming the week of May 19-May 25, 2024 as “Emergency Medical Services Week” in Nassau County, Florida. Representatives from Nassau County Fire Rescue and the City of Fernandina Beach Fire Department were in attendance. Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service. Members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury as they fill the gap by providing important, out-of-hospital care. Emergency medical services consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and other out of hospital medical care providers. Please join us in celebrating Emergency Medical Services Week by recognizing the value and accomplishments of emergency medical providers across the Country, and here in Nassau County. |
| Lewis Street Closed Beginning Next Week |
Please be advised that as part of the American Beach Water and Sewer Conversion Project, Lewis Street from First Coast Highway to Gregg Street will be closed for thru traffic beginning Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Closures are expected daily for two weeks to begin road restoration. Residents living on Lewis Street will have access, although they may experience some delays.
Individuals attempting to reach the drive-on beach access in American Beach should enter via Burney Road.
We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we work to establish water and sewer services for the American Beach community. If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
| Employees of the Quarter |
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In January 2022, County Manager Taco Pope, instituted new Customer Care Standards to govern both internal and external interactions and to create a more positive work environment. Part of this initiative includes an Employee Recognition Program in which employees can nominate co-workers who have demonstrated Nassau County’s Customer Care Standards and/or has provided exceptional performance beyond established duties and responsibilities.
At the Wednesday, May 15th meeting, the Board recognized JD Morgan and Steven Hallmark as our new Employees of the Quarter.
Surveys: Transportation Needs and Customer Roadway Safety
The Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) is seeking the public’s input on two initiatives.
The first is the 2024 Coordinated Mobility Plan Survey. Input received will help planners better understand the community’s transportation needs and obstacles, and will help them to identify solutions to reduce mobility gaps and improve transportation services through the region of Northeast Florida.
The second survey, Customer Roadway Safety Survey, is designed to help the NEFRC and Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) gain insight on the community’s experiences related to roadway safety and JTA Services. The survey is part of JTA’s commitment to enhancing safety on roadways, specifically for JTA services, as they strive to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries.
Each survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Both surveys are open through the end of July. If you have any questions, please contact Summer Jones, Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinator of the Northeast Florida Regional Council at (904) 279-0880 ext. 124 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Health Officials Issue Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory
Earlies this week, the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County (DOH-Nassau) advised residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Nassau County.
Several sentinel chicken flocks have tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis virus infection. The risk of transmission to humans has increased. Amelia Island Mosquito Control and DOH-Nassau continue surveillance and prevention efforts.
DOH-Nassau reminds residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.
For tips, please click here.
| Summer Adults Programs at the Library |
The Fernandina Beach Library is hosting a series of adult programs this summer. Classes include:
- Summer Knitting for Beginners
- Paint a Picture of Paradise
- Patriotic Charcuterie Board
- Sweet Reads Bingo
- Discover Diamond Art
| Passport Day at the Library |
The Fernandina Beach Library is hosting its next Passport Day on Saturday, June 15 from 10am-5pm. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
Make your appointment online at www.nassaureads.com or by calling the Library at (904) 530-6500.
Event sponsored by the Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library.
| Landscape Matters Class: What’s a Pest? |
The Nassau County Library and Nassau County Extension have partnered to bring a Landscape Matters to the Fernandina Library. This class focuses on various types of pests that can be affecting your landscape. There is no cost to participate, however an RSVP is required. Visit www.nassaureads.com to sign up.
What: Landscape Matters Class: What’s a Pest?
When: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Fernandina Beach Library, 25 N. 4th Street
Call (904) 530-6500 with questions.
| Public Meetings |
Below are public meetings scheduled for the week of May 27 – May 24, 2024
Please note that meetings are subject to change. Please review our website calendar for up-to-date information.
Meeting agendas can be located here.
Development Review Committee
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers
96135 Nassau Place,
Yulee, FL 32097
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