News
By Michael Hernandez, 12-3-24
FERNANDINA BEACH—A large majority of public speakers (14 out of 15) spoke out against Fernandina Beach dredging with a beach extractor by the Army Corps of Engineers. However, city officials made it clear that they had no authority over how the beach was to be dredged using a beach extractor for the first time—which will sift and possibly remove 280,000 cubic yards of beach sand most likely with a screening mechanism 2 inches by 2 inches. The cost of the project is estimated at $18 million.
According to Commissioner Joyce M. Tuten who as a science teacher and fossil hunter said: “No teeth or fossils will be lost on our beaches. Dredging is essential because of the two jetties that allow for nuclear subs but block natural movement of sand by waves” and without dredging would cause beach erosion.
Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue said: “An extractor is going to be used by the Army Corps of Engineers because it has been written into their bids and specs.”
Many of those making public comments brought shark teeth and other fossils to the Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting.
Comments about dredging by an extractor included:
Connie N. (Yulee): “I am 65 years old and have lived here since 1972. I visit Fernandina Beach for hunting of shark teeth and fossils. I have walked the beaches for 52 years. We have tourists from all over the United States. This is going to ruin tourism and small businesses in Fernandina Beach. I looked at 17 Facebook groups in our area with about 282,000 followers. If each person in these 17 groups come with 1 to 3 people and spend $300 each trip this is a potential of $169 million to $338 million dollars for our community.”
Laurel S. (Fernandina Beach): “I visited a friend 25 years ago and I went to the beach and found a shark tooth—something I had never seen. I went home from the visit, quit my job, sold my house and moved here. Every day I go out to find shark teeth. I see the eyes of children and of seniors light up when they find a shark tooth. This is part of the identity of this town.”
Rihanna B.: “I’m not a city resident but I am a paleontologist and avid fossil hunter and since a kid I have been coming to Fernandina Beach. Large beach extractors have been used by other Florida beach cities and now they have no fossils. Right now, we are one of the ten best places to find shark teeth. But after this equipment is used, there will be no more fossils. We will lose tourism. If this is to be done at least use 4 inch by 4 inch screens.
Julie F.: “I am going to express an opposing point of view. I would like to see the sand sifted down to a grain of salt. Our city should not be in the business of making toothing an industry. Shark teeth are natural resources and not to be put on coffee tables. Fossils are sacred and people are just thinking about themselves. Think seven generations into the future.”
City Commissioners Approve $1.58 Million In Spending By 5-0 Vote
Approved Sole Source purchase (Agenda 7.14) of master meters from Empire Pipe Supply not to exceed $847,634.
Amended Resolution for outside counsel (Agenda 7.6) not to exceed $165,000.
Purchase approval and budget transfer (Agenda 7.13) of three commercial diesel generators not to exceed $153,000.
Approval of prefabricated Hickory Street bathrooms (Agenda 7.8) from CXT Inc. and LB Foster Company for $135,000.
Approved a proposal from Atlantic Pipe Services (Agenda 7.3) for stormwater pipe at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport not to exceed $135,000.
Approved easement agreements with Downtown Crab, LLC (Agenda 7.11) for sidewalk and fence and underground electrical lines on Alachua Steet for $100,000.
Approved Sole Source purchase (Agenda 7.9) of Ovivo USA, LLC to rebuild and repurpose one Aerator Reducer Gearbox in an amount not to exceed $52,000.
Citizens Approved To City Boards
Airport Advisory Commission (Agenda 8.1): George Haffey, Prudence Hostetter, and Thomas Piscitello (5-0 Vote).
Board of Adjustment (Agenda 8.2): Taina Christner (4-1), Barry Hertslet (5-0), and Len Kreger (5-0).
Board of Trustees of the Firefighters’ and Police Officers’ Pension Plan (Agenda 8.3):
Walter Sturges (5-0).
Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board (Agenda 8.5): Eric Bartelt, David Cook Jr., Lisa Finkelstein, Jenny Schaffer, and Michael Spino
(5-0).
Golf Club Advisory Board (Agenda 8.6): Michael Kelly and Lynn Sikorski (5-0).
Historic District Council (Agenda 8.7): Arlene Filkoff and James Pozetta (5-0).
Marina Advisory Board (Agenda 8.8): Barb Kent and Marian Phillips (5-0).
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (Agenda 8.9): Thomas Camero, Sheila Cocchi, Kendall Curry, Elise Pearlstine, and Richard Reilly.
Planning Advisory Board (Agenda 8.10): Barbara Gingher (4-1) and Victoria Robas (5-0).
Other Items:
Alachua Street Project (Agenda 4.3): Construction starts Dec. 4 and ends
March 4. The project started in 2017 with funding from the State after Hurricane Matthew. The original cost was for $1.9 million in April, 2021 but the first bid was for $2.45 million in July, 2021. Prices rose to $7 million and the city did a halt and reworked the project to bring down costs back near the original amount.
Nassau Humane Society Executive Director Chanel Scherer presented Tina—a dog with cancer—as the foster dog adoption of the month (Agenda 4.2).
Facilities Use Agreement for the Homeless of Nassau County was postponed until January so that city staff can add language for use of the Martin Luther King Recreation Center Patricia A. Thompson Auditorium for all extreme weather conditions (hot and storm days) not just for emergency cold days (which started this week). In the meantime, the recreation center will remain open as needed.
Commissioner Comments: Regular Meeting
Mayor James Antun: Congratulations to Mayor Bradley Bean for the birth of a daughter.”
Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue: “Welcome Sarah (Campbell). Shark teeth got as much juice (attention) as bioethanol.”
Commissioner Genece Minshew: “Welcome Ms. Campbell. The city deserves a great city manager.”
Commissioner Tim Poynter: “Welcome to our new city manager.”
Commissioner Joyce M. Tuten: “Welcome City Manager Campbell. I loved receiving 50 emails. One citizen wanted to thank the Building Department for being helpful in permitting and building inspection.”
Agenda: Dec. 3 Regular Meeting (6 Pages)
https://fernandinabeachfl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3261/files/agenda/836
Watch: Dec. 3 Regular Meeting (2 hours: 54 Minutes)
https://fernandinabeachfl.new.swagit.com/videos/321681
Fernandina Beach City Commission Sets Workshop Topics for 1st Quarter 2025
January: Waterfront Park and Capacity Impact Fees
February: Seawall
March: Conservation Master Plan and Seawater Bond Referendum
Other Priority Topics: Stormwater Master Plan, Tree Canopy, Golf Course, Budget
Workshop Public Comments:
Sheila C.: “We should have a written review for all city charter officers. Let’s set goals and perform an annual review for the community.”
Julie F: “We have money to save the heritage tree on the Elm Street development. If we want to purchase that property, we can save the tree. Waiting till January is too late”
Richard D.: “When RYAM formally submits something to the city—what is the city going to do. You know how intensely people feel. What is the city response? Do we have a game plan for a roll out and messaging.”
Margaret K.: “I am thrilled we will be addressing flooding. We have issues all over (Amelia) Island: mid-island, downtown, Old Town, Fourth Street. We also need to see what is happening to our tree canopy. In the future, we need to focus on land conservation and not develop large houses on small lots.”
Dec. 3 Fernandina Beach Workshop Agenda:
https://fernandinabeachfl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3743/files/agenda/8355
Dec. 3 Fernandina Beach Workshop Watch: 35 minutes
https://fernandinabeachfl.new.swagit.com/videos/321637
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 “Revive America: Make America Great Again.”
