News
By Michael Hernandez, 5-21-24
FERNANDINA BEACH—The Fernandina Beach City Commission at its Tuesday, May 21st meeting approved a letter of support for Nassau County proceeding with a $125,000 grant match for procuring an All Hazards Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Fire Suppression & Rescue Vessel which will cost $500,000 if approved with 75 percent of the cost coming from the Department of Homeland Security Port Security Grant Program.
The purpose of the vessel is “to support increased port-wide risk management and protect critical marine transportation system infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.”
Initially, the City of Fernandina Beach was going to move forward with agenda item 5.6 which would have authorized moving forward with its own grant match but city staff recommended that the original agenda item be removed and support be given to the Nassau County application with the hope that this would allow Nassau County to win the grant with the appropriate working agreements made between the City and the County. City Commissioner Darron Ayscue removed himself from the vote because of his involvement with Nassau County’s grant application for the CBRNE Fire Suppression & Rescue Vessel.
2024 Jeep Wrangler Sport to be purchased for $40,000
The Fernandina Beach City Commission approved the purchase of a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Sportt from Garber Chrysler Dodge Truck, Inc. from the Law Enforcement Recovery Fund. A quote was obtained for $37,000 with an additional $3,000 required for specialized police equipment for the vehicle. The Jeep is expected to last eight years and end up saving the cost of the vehicle during that time period.
May 19-24 Declared “Public Works Week”
Public Works and Parks Division employees were honored by the City of Fernandina Beach. The Public Works Department was founded in 1887 and employed three individuals whose responsibilities included “water works, illumination, draining lots, construction of roads, city market and public wharves.”
Today, 137 years later, the Fernandina Beach Public Works Department is comprised of the Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Streets, Fleet, Facilities, and Sanitation Divisions with over 60 employees responsible for 80 miles of streets, 125 miles of water main lines, 112 miles of sewer main lines and 68 miles of stormwater pipe as well as 65 parking lots and facilities.
The Parks Division along with Public Works Division work together to provide municipal services so both are being recognized at the same time.
May 5-11 Declared Municipal Clerks Week
Municipal Clerks Week proclaimed for week of May 5-11. Accepted by City Clerk Caroline Best (featured photo at top of this article).
The proclamation states: “The Municipal Clerk has existed for centuries and is the earliest known local government public servant. Prior to Biblical times, Clerks were referred to as “Reminders” or “Remembrancers” because, before writing came into use, the Clerk’s memory serves as the public record.
The proclamation also states: “Professor William Bennett Munro, in writing one of the first textbooks on municipal administration, stated in part: ‘No other office in municipal government has so many contracts. It serves the Mayor, the City Commission, and all Administrative Departments without exception. All of them call upon it, almost daily, for some service or information. Its work is not spectacular, but it demands versatility, alertness, accuracy, and no end of patience.’ These words, written 90 years ago, are still relevant today.”
Board Appointments or Hires
- Karl Ashley reappointed to the City of Fernandina Beach Firefighters’ and Police Officers’ Penson Plan for a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025 joining an Advisory Board that also includes: Rusty Burke, Jim Norman, Walter Sturges, and Chris Nickoloff. The Advisory Board meets on the second Thursday of the second month following the end of each quarter at 1 pm.
- Sierra Miller and Blake Labarbara sworn in as newly hired Police Officers by Police Chief Jeff Tambasco (photo below).
Other News
- Parks and Recreation has installed a new scoreboard at Central Park
- Fernandina Beach has new tennis courts.
- Wednesday, May 22 (10 am): Nassau County Law Enforcement Memorial for heroes killed in duty is at the Courthouse.
- Friday, May 31 (6-10 pm): Fernandina Beach Parking Lot A/B (Youth Advisory Committee event).
Agenda:
To read the agenda go to: https://fernandinabeachfl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3209/files/agenda/7759
Video:
To watch the meeting video go to:
http://fl-fernandinabeach.civicplus.com/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.”
