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Fernandina Beach commission approves budget transfers, staffing, and design change orders; votes unanimous
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a consent agenda, a water‑main extension bid and budget transfer, a new project‑manager position (with a $14,000 headcount transfer), and a $44,750 design change order for downtown revitalization; the commission also cleared first reading of a master fee schedule ordinance with an amendment to remove a 25‑person meeting fee cap.
The Fernandina Beach City Commission on March 4 took several unanimous actions on consent, staffing, utility expansions and professional‑services changes.
Consent: The commission approved routine consent items (6.1–6.4) on a motion and second; the clerk recorded a 5–0 roll‑call vote.
Item 6.5 (water main and force‑main extension): Utilities Director Andre Desilets presented Resolution 2025‑540 requesting bid award and associated budget transfers to extend water and sewer infrastructure near Bonaview/Friendly Road and to serve an area with roughly 45 parcels. Desilets said the extension will allow multiple property owners to connect through voluntary annexation and that the city will front construction costs and be reimbursed incrementally as customers connect. Commissioners asked whether most properties are likely to connect; Desilets said connection likelihood is “very great,” noting failing septic systems and vacant lots. The motion to award the bid and approve the transfer passed 5–0.
Project manager and headcount (Item 7.1): City Manager Sarah Campbell explained a proposal to create and post a project‑manager position by transferring $14,000 into the city manager's office. Campbell said the posting will run at least 30 days and anticipated a 45–60 day hiring timeframe. The commission approved the resolution 5–0.
Change order for downtown design (Item 7.2): Staff requested a $44,750 change order for Kimley‑Horn to extend design work along North and South 2nd Street to accommodate phased construction because of utility placements. Staff said the change would allow coordinated phasing and avoid rework; commissioners approved the change order 5–0.
Master Fee Schedule (Item 8.1): Staff presented a mid‑year fee update tied to the CityView software implementation and an EMS billing change to align with Medicare minimums. Discussion focused on a new two‑hour meeting fee that originally included a 25‑person limit. Commissioner Minshew moved (seconded by Commissioner Pointer) to remove the 25‑person cap and instruct staff to clarify within the rental agreement which rooms and capacities the meeting fee applies to; the motion passed and the ordinance received first reading on a 5–0 vote.
No item was tabled for further study; Item 9 was postponed to the March 18 meeting to consider an additional applicant for a board vacancy. The commission scheduled an executive session March 18 to discuss pending litigation related to Rainier Performance Fibers.
