News
By Michael Hernandez, 10-3-24 (revised 10-5-24)
FERNANDINA BEACH—
Update Provided On Stormwater And Wastewater Systems After Storms
Utilities Director Andre Desilet provided an update (Agenda 4-6) on city stormwater and wastewater systems after storms of the last 90 days.
“Rainfall for July was at 142 percent of the average for Nassau County,” said Desilet “200 percent for the monthly average in August and 200 percent of the monthly average in the first half of September. Our 45-day rain total was over 27 inches.”
The average water flow is 1.75 million gallons per day. “In September, we had almost 6 million gallons per day more (in total) 8 million gallons per day.” According to Desilet, there are approximately 1,400 stormwater manholes in the city and 3-4,000 sewer lines. To check or repair each manhole costs approximately $1,000.
Actions taken by the city regarding the storm:
- Deployment of portable pumps to alleviate flooding when possible.
- Crews cleared multiple blockages and restored flow.
- 69 citizen calls and emails received.
Three New Firefighter Positions Funded Six Months For $150,000
Three new firefighter positions were funded six months for $150,000 (Agenda 6-4) on the Oct. 1st Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting in a 4-1 vote with Commissioner “Chip” Ross voting “no” because funding was coming from a general fund contingency account instead of as a regular budget account. The City had hoped for, but did not receive a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to pay for these positions.
The Fernandina Beach fire department has been short 12 positions for almost nine years according to Vice Mayor David Sturges. Since then, the fire department has filled six of the positions but is still understaffed.
“I support fully funding the fire department,” said Ross. “My problem is on how we are paying for these positions out of the contingency funding. This item should be funded from the regular budget and we are leaving this account with only $36,000 dollars.”
Contract For New City Manager Approved in 3-2 Vote
A full-time employment contract for new City Manager Sarah Campbell was approved (Agenda 6.2) with starting salary at $205,000 with a potential pay increase of $10,000 after six months and another $10,000 after a full year of work. Severance requested by Campbell is 20-weeks pay.
The contract also provides Professional Development not to exceed $3,000 and Dues not to exceed $2,200, Paid Time Off at the same rate as new Department Directors. Retirement benefits are paid at 10 percent of annual salary into a deferred compensation account, plus a $5,000 relocation stipend, a $500 per month vehicle stipend and $50 per month cell phone stipend.
Denise Matson, Fernandina Beach Human Resources Director, said she worked with executive search firm Colin Baenziger and Associates in negotiating salary terms which are comparable to other city manager salaries in Northwest Florida.
Voting against the contract as adopted were Chip Ross and James Antun.
Ross sought to have Campbell’s pay, start at $190,000 with bonuses of $5,000 based on meeting performance criteria: opening of Alachua Street; permitting and design of the seawall; design, funding and obtaining a contract for phase 1 of the downtown renovations, and when the Ybor Alvarez Soccer Complex construction begins; if the downtown waterfront park is completed; and $2,500 bonuses for a youth sports practice field, and for bathrooms at Hickory Street Park.
Antun agreed with Ross and wanted negotiations to start with salary at $190,000.
City Receives Check Of $326,000 For Dredging From Harbor Marina
The City received a check of $326,000 (Agenda 4.5) for dredging completed last fiscal year from the Harbor Marina General Manager Cathy Chapman.
Upcoming Events:
- Oct. 12: Bartram Garden Club Monarch Migration/Welcome Center: 10 am-2 pm
- Oct. 12: Graveside Chronicles/Museum & Genealogical Society, Bosque Bello
- Oct 12: Hispanic Heritage Festival: S 3rd St, 1-9 pm
- Oct 14: The Promised Land-Two Dreamers, One Dream, 7-9 pm Museum
- Oct 19: 8 Flags Car Show, Centre Street from Front to 8th, 8 am to 4 pm
Other Commission Actions:
- Proclaimed October as “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” (Agenda 4.3) with Able (Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation) Trust Senior Vice President Joey D’ Souza receiving the proclamation.
- Approved Alliant Engineering, Inc. (Agenda 6.1) for engineering, design and project management of the upgrades and relocation of Lift Station #3 and #18 in the amount of $106,390.
- Approved purchase of fire medical supplies and equipment from Bound Tree Medical, LLC (Agenda 6-5).
- Approved Fernandina Beach Main Street support (Agenda 6.8) for the next three fiscal years in the amount of $40,000 annually.
- Approved contract with Atlantic Coast Asphalt (Agenda 6.10) for patching city streets in an amount not to exceed $41,431.
- Approved contract with Agrow Pro for $55,000 (Agenda 6.11) for agronomic services no to exceed $55,000.
- Approved Sea Bandit Construction (Agenda 6.12) for outdoor restroom cleaning services for $78,110.
- Approved one-year contract (Agenda 6.13) with DDI Contractors for maintenance and repairs of boardwalks not to exceed $200,000.
- Appointed Dylan Psulkowski to the Historic District Council (Agenda 8.1)
Commissioners:
Mayor Bradley Bean (Seat 1): 904-415-5181
Vice Mayor David Sturges (Seat 2): 904-753-2445
Ronald “Chip” Ross (Seat 3): 410-394-0220
James Antun (Seat 4): 516-547-5309
Darron Ayscue (Seat 5): 904-780-4480
Agenda: 996 pages
Watch (2 hours):
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.”
