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Residents press commission as petition seeks charter vote on paid downtown parking
Summary
A citizen petition seeking a charter vote on paid downtown parking is nearing its signature goal, residents told the Fernandina Beach City Commission. City staff said negotiations with a potential vendor remain at the staff level and recommended a public workshop in October and formation of a stakeholder group.
A group seeking to put paid downtown parking before Fernandina Beach voters says it is close to the signatures needed to qualify for the ballot and urged the City Commission Thursday to respect strong public opposition.
"We are at that point, we are unverified," said Mack Morris, who said his group aims to collect 3,000 signatures to place a charter amendment on the ballot. "Public opinion is very strong against paid parking. Many see it as harmful to our downtown retail businesses."
City Manager Sarah Campbell told the commission staff has had an initial, staff‑level meeting with a vendor and that negotiations are ongoing. Campbell said she will recommend the commission form a small stakeholder task force that will hold public meetings and help select options to present back to the commission.
"I'm recommending that your October 7 workshop be on the paid parking and some of those decisions that we'll be recommending to you," Campbell said. She said staff has not set a target date for implementation and that contract length and exit language would be decided during negotiations; she added the city would seek contractual provisions to allow exit if legal or voter action prevents implementation.
Campbell also explained the process if a citizen petition qualifies: the signatures would be transmitted to the commission in the form of an ordinance for consideration; the commission could adopt the ordinance after the normal two readings or, if it declined to adopt, the measure would proceed to the ballot in the appropriate election.
Morris urged the commission to heed the petition, saying organizers continue to host signings and believe their 3,000‑signature goal is realistic. "Please listen to your city, please," he said.
Other residents used public comment to raise related and unrelated concerns — including disputes with the Nassau Humane Society, housing and public‑safety issues, and procedural questions — but paid parking dominated the agenda and follow‑up planning.
Next steps: staff will convene a stakeholder group with representatives from the Waterfront Advisory Board, Planning Advisory Board and Historic District Commission and will recommend the Oct. 7 workshop to discuss the paid‑parking options and the public‑engagement plan.
