Nassau County commission approves series of contracts, permits and grant submissions

At its March 10 meeting, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on a slate of actions ranging from construction contracts to permit approvals and a major grant application.

The board approved awarding a construction contract to CGC Inc. for the Amelia Island Parkway Trail Segment 2 and authorized the chairman to sign related documents. Commissioners also approved the purchase and support contract for replacement storage area network (SAN) equipment from Eastern Computer Exchange LLC totaling $478,969.88 and authorized signature of two contract numbers. The board moved to authorize a letter of support for the Northeast Florida Builders Association apprenticeship program and approved the county manager’s request to sign that letter.

Other votes included the county’s approval to issue a right-of-way permit for Comcast to bore about 98 feet of underground cable under Scott Road; approval of a driveway permit on Gerbing Road (a Canopy Road) despite a property ownership dispute that a public commenter said may lead to civil litigation; approval of a final development plan modification for Buckhead 2, phases 3 and 4, adding 10 single-family units; and authorization to submit a Florida Job Growth Grant application requesting $6,250,000 to build a four-lane roadway accessing some 700 acres of industrial and commercial land. The board also approved a code enforcement lien reduction that lowered a historical fine to $5,189.45 and approved several routine interlocal and change-order items.

Staff reported that most procurements and grants were budgeted or covered by state or developer funds, and several items were described as funded through existing budgets or grants. On the Gerbing Road driveway permit, planning staff recommended approval and cautioned that the county is not the proper forum for a private ownership dispute; county counsel confirmed a property dispute must be resolved in civil court and that board approval of a permit would not itself authorize construction if other legal obstacles remain.

Votes at a glance (select items, recorded tallies): - Expansion of agenda to consider a letter of support for the Northeast Florida Builders Association apprenticeship program: 5–0 approve. - Amelia Island Parkway Trail Segment 2 contract (CGC Inc., CM3858): 5–0 approve. - SAN device replacements and support (Eastern Computer Exchange LLC, CM3868/CM3869), $478,969.88: 5–0 approve. - Letter of support for Northeast Florida Builders Association state appropriation request (agenda expansion item/tab AG): 5–0 approve. - Comcast right-of-way permit to bore 98 feet under Scott Road (Canopy Road): 5–0 approve. - Driveway permit for 1358 Gerbing Road (Surf Builder Homes/owner): 5–0 approve; staff advised the approval does not determine privately contested property ownership. - Buckhead 2 final development plan modification (FD24-005), 85 single-family lots (10 additional units): 5–0 approve. - Florida Job Growth Grant application, $6,250,000 request to construct a four-lane roadway to access nearly 700 acres of industrial/commercial land (Tab X): 5–0 approve to submit application. - Code enforcement lien reduction (CE 09-658) to $5,189.45: 5–0 approve. - Spring Lake Estates change order (CM3513 CO03) $136,011.30 (increase to contract): 5–0 approve. - Interlocal amendment for landscape maintenance in East Nassau Stewardship District: 5–0 approve.

Several items were presented at the request of commissioners for staff reports and were supported by staff recommendations. Where residents raised concerns (notably the Gerbing Road driveway and the Buckhead residential expansion), commissioners and staff stressed the distinction between ministerial approvals (permits consistent with the Land Development Code) and private civil disputes that must be resolved in court.

The board also took routine ministerial actions including proclamations and appointments.