Fernandina Beach commission holds first reading of paid-parking ordinance; commissioner abstains after disclosure

The Fernandina Beach City Commission on Dec. 2 advanced a paid-parking program on first reading, with the measure and a related master-fee update passing by 3–1 votes while Commissioner Timothy Poynter abstained after reading a conflict disclosure into the record.

The ordinance (Ordinance 2025-13) would create a paid-parking framework for a defined downtown “paid parking area” and a broader downtown boundary where revenue may be spent on capital projects. City staff and the city attorney described several changes made since the first reading: the map was revised to separate where fees are collected (red) from where revenue may be expended (blue); unused definitions were removed; the term “zones” was changed to “sectors”; dynamic pricing was retained but limited so any price range must be set by ordinance and the master fee schedule; and the ordinance now allows suspension of fees for “emergency events,” broadened beyond weather-only events. Attorney Prince also said a lawsuit challenging the program is pending and warned that first reading is a legislative step only and does not implement signs or contracts.

Staff and the city attorney said the ordinance would require a second reading and public hearing, expected Jan. 6, 2026, and that implementation would follow vendor setup (about six weeks) plus a 30-day public education period before enforcement. Based on staff remarks, the earliest realistic live start was mid‑April, with the referendum on paid parking slated to go before voters in August if petitioned to do so.

The master fee schedule (Ordinance 2025-14) presented at the same meeting would set fees and permit types. Staff summarized the chief items: a base hourly paid-parking rate of $2 per hour (with a statutory cap on percentage increases set by later ordinance/master fee schedule), an annual nonresident digital permit at $124 plus a $24 administrative fee, a monthly nonresident permit at $60, and two free 4‑hour resident digital passes per household; additional resident permits beyond the first two would cost $24 per year. Staff said resident permits are digital and tied to license plates; there would be a 20-minute grace period and a 30‑ to 60‑day phased rollout for education.

Ethics disclosure and abstention Commissioner Timothy Poynter read a statement disclosing that he owns or leases property in the downtown boundary and within the paid-parking area and that any economic benefit would be speculative; in an abundance of caution he announced he would abstain from voting on the ordinances pending a written informal opinion from the Commission on Ethics. The commission allowed him to participate in discussion but not vote tonight; the clerk recorded the disclosure.

Public comments and reactions Public speakers were sharply divided. Several residents and community leaders urged action to fund long‑deferred infrastructure: Richard Dean said paid parking would provide revenue for projects such as a seawall, repairs to the historic district and replacing the waterfront structure formerly known as Brett’s Waterway Café, and argued nonresidents should help pay to maintain amenities they use. Scott Lomond, president of Amelia Island Youth Soccer, and Toby Lentz, recreational soccer director for Milan Youth Soccer, pleaded for a timely decision on youth fields; Lentz warned, “We’re looking at having to cap our registration and reduce player numbers by 60% to 70% if we don’t quickly solve this problem.”

Opponents warned of unintended consequences. James Klotter and Jack Amber urged no meters and warned of enforcement problems and potential erosion of access for residents and small businesses; Amber raised concerns about misuse or theft of license plates to avoid fees. Cameron Moss urged that debates be fact‑based and criticized what he described as inflammatory online rhetoric from some recall and opposition groups.

Commission discussion and vote Commissioners who supported advancing the ordinances said the city has decades of unfunded capital needs and that a tested short-term program and a public vote would be appropriate steps. Commissioner Toon and others emphasized resident protections in the proposal (resident passes, a 20‑minute grace period and four‑hour resident allowances for in-sector residents) and noted a plan for a phased education period before enforcement. After discussion the commission voted to advance both the ordinance and the fee-schedule amendment on first reading. The record shows the first-reading votes each passed on a 3–1 recorded vote; one commissioner voted no and Commissioner Timothy Poynter abstained.

What happens next Staff and the city attorney said second readings and public hearings will be advertised and that the city expects to hold second readings in early January 2026; attorney Prince also scheduled additional executive-session time for litigation guidance on Dec. 11 and Dec. 16. If the ordinance is adopted after second reading and any legal issues are resolved, staff expects vendor setup to take several weeks followed by a 30‑day public-education period before full enforcement.