News
By Michael Hernandez, 8-23-24
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL—City Attorney Tammi Bach has pulled a 2G BioEthanol discussion from the Sept. 3 commission meeting and cancelled a planned six-hour workshop on the same day despite the request made from Commissioner Ronald “Chip” Ross and Commissioner James Antun. According to Bach, “There is no danger of the City issuing a building permit for a bioethanol plant, at this time.”
(Editor’s Note: Citizens Journal Florida was alerted to the cancellation of the 2G BioEthanol agenda item and special workshop by Citizen activist Sandy Kerry.)
“The City Attorney’s duty is to protect the City from liability. She acted in accordance with her beliefs,” said Commissioner Ross when asked for a comment by Citizens Journal Florida. “However, I will be raising at the next meeting that the City Commission have a workshop so that citizens can present their concerns about the proposed bioethanol plant.”
The 2G BioEthanol project is set to be operated by RYAM (Rayonier Advanced Materials) which began operations in Fernandina Beach in 1939 after two years of construction. Rayonier Inc. spun off its performance fibers business to create RYAM, a company headquartered in Florida and known worldwide for its cellulose-based technologies and provides $40 million in direct salaries and benefits to its 300-plus employees while generating 20 megawatts of power for Florida Public Utility’s Amelia Island customers. The plant produces more than 99 percent of its total energy/electricity for operations. A $35 million capital investment in 2016 brought Eight Flags to the Fernandina plant.
RYAM submitted the air permit application for the proposed 2G BioEthanol project to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on Nov. 13, 2023. The FDEP leads permitting and regulatory oversight and sets strict standards to protect public health and the environment. The City of Fernandina Beach will oversee any building permits that may be required by this project which RYAM will pursue as appropriate.
According to the RYAM web site: “Eventually, we anticipate that local building permits will be needed, but that process is still a long way down the road. Nonetheless, we are working closely with local officials to keep them apprised of our progress. At a Community Advisory Council meeting in October 2023, we discussed the BioEthanol permitting process. Representatives from both Nassau County and the City of Fernandina Beach were present.
“The new 2G BioEthanol facility will be constructed within our existing property boundaries. Importantly, the selected site for the new facility is positioned more than a half mile away from the nearest residential area. This considerable distance significantly enhances safety by providing a substantial buffer zone between the plant and residential areas. Additionally, the facility will not be located in the 100-year or 500-year floodplain, further minimizing environmental and operational risks.
“This project will have little effect on how our plant uses and manages water, nor will it harm the health of local waterways (or its enjoyment by our neighbors). In fact, our plant will continue to operate under the same water permits it does today.
“A small amount of wastewater generated by 2G BioEthanol production will be treated at our facility and is subject to the same strict regulations as all wastewater treated at our facility.
“Our groundwater use and water management is highly regulated by the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Those agencies set clear standards that regulate water quality and quantity to safeguard public health and protect the environment. This project will not change that.”
According to Ben Chambers, RYAM Director of Sustainability & External Affairs, “There’s a $185 million total economic contribution to the region with more than 1,200 local jobs supported by RYAM’s operations including position in the logging, trucking, contracting, forestry, service and maintenance operations.”
(Editor’s Note: To read a RYAM press statement sent to the Citizens Journal Florida and posted on May 29, go to: https://www.citizensjournal.net/ryam-statement-on-proposed-fernandina-ethanol-plant/.)
Commissioners Reverse Decision On Petanque Courts Relocation To Joe Velardi Field
The Fernandina Beach City Commissioners reversed their Aug 6 decision to relocate the Amelia River Waterfront Park Petanque Courts to Joe Velardi Field at a sum of not more than $50,000. The option that will be considered at the Sept. 3 meeting will be Central Park.
A packed meeting gallery came to vocalize their opinions in regards to the Aug. 6 decision, particularly participants of the Elm Street Little League. Prior to the start of the Aug. 22 City Commissioners meeting, Elm Street Little League Vice President Leslie Andree and John Adams of the Amelia Island Boules Club were negotiating a compromise concerning use of fields and courts “to calm the situation down” between the two sports and “work together” to resolve the issue. Their efforts to do so were commended by the City Commissioners.
Making a presentation to the commissioners was Linda Velardi on the history of Joe Velardi Field named after her father.
Commissioners Remember Deputy City Manager Charlie George
The Fernandina City Commission opened up their Aug. 21 meeting (postponed one day due to the Nassau County elections) with prayer remembering Deputy City Manager/Engineer Charlie George, 65, who died following a health emergency in which he was rushed to a Jacksonville hospital and died Wednesday.
George had served as interim city manager (first appointed in April, 2023) until June of this year. As a city engineer, he had directed city projects such as the flood protection wall on the south city marina. He was also in charge of dredging the city marina, the new riverfront park project, a renovation plan for the historic downtown and the opening of Alachua Street.
George began working with Fernandina Beach in November, 2020 and came to the city with 35 years of experience as a consulting engineer with many of those years spent in Savannah, Georgia. He earned a civil engineering degree from Georgia Southern University and spent 20 years for coastal marine construction company Thomas & Hutton.
Ninth Annual “Terry Kelly Skate Jam” slated for Aug. 24 (1-9 p.m.)
The Friends of Fernandina Skate Park’s 9th Annual Terry Kelly Skate Jam at Main Beach Skate Park will run from 1-9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 and will feature local music bands. Terry Kelly was a proud father exited to watch his then 10-year-old son Fernando compete at the skate jam when he suffered a life-ending cardiac event. The following year the skate jam was named in his honor and to father who cheer for their children at sporting event.
The Main Beach Skate Park has been renamed “Poe Pinson Skate Park” in recognition of Pinson earning 5th place in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. Poe began skateboarding on her fourth birthday ad entered her fist skateboard competition at the age of six.
(Editor’s Note: To read the Citizens Journal Florida article on the Poe Pinson Parade and renaming of the Skate Park go to: https://www.citizensjournal.net/olympian-poe-pinson-honored-with-parade-skate-park-in-her-name/.)
Other Aug. 21 Commission Actions
- Approved 5-0, (Agenda Item 5.2) Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center Pool Complex Men’s bathroom and locker room renovation for $120,000.
- Approved 5-0, (Agenda Item 5.3) proposal from Hubbard Construction company for surveying expenses not to exceed $41,000 for the Peck Center Charles Eugene Richo Field.
- Tabled (Agenda Item 5.4) proposal from Alliant Engineering, Inc for the sewer life station design and project management for $106,000.
- No Action (Agenda Item 5.5) on relocating utility pole on Airport Road to the new fire station.
- Approved 3-2 (Agenda Item 5.6) for the completion of a downtown traffic area plan for $50,000.
- Approved 5-0 (Agenda Item 5.7) to Electro-Mechanic Industries for the resurfacing of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center Pool in the amount of $77,000.
- Approved 5-0 (Agenda Item 5.8) a new five-year agreement with the current Saturday Farmers Market on 7th Street.
- Approved 5-0 (Agenda Item 6.1) a zoning request change in land use on Gum Street.
- Approved 5-0 (Agenda Item 6.3) a zoning request change in land use on Sadler Road.
- Approved 5-0 (Agenda Item 6.6) the first reading of various city fees.
Agenda:
https://fernandinabeachfl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3265/files/agenda/7983
Watch:
https://www.fbfl.us/815/City-Meeting-Videos
Michael Hernandez, from California is co-founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted at [email protected] and is editor of the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes” and “Nov. 5 Election Day Countdown.”
