10/19/17 @ 10:15 a.m. - As of Wednesday, October 18, 2017, a total of 75,623 cubic tons of storm debris has been collected in Nassau County since the start date of September 18th.

Due to the widespread amount of debris, the contractor has not been able to provide an exact schedule for pickup. However, the contractor is on track to be done with the first sweep of vegetative debris on Amelia Island by Monday, October 23rd. There are now 10 vegetative haul trucks in operation and beginning on the 23rd, a majority of them will be moved off the island to focus on vegetative debris removal for the areas east and west of I-95.  The contractor was also able to secure 4 cut trucks this week to begin removing trees and branches on public property that are leaning and/or hanging that meet FEMA's definition to be declared a threat to public safety.

​Attached is a list reflecting roads that the contractor has begun clearing, however please note that none of these roads are complete yet. 

​As a reminder, two drop off sites have been established for citizens who wish to deliver their debris in lieu of waiting for a contractor, or for those residing on private roads. Both sites will accept vegetative debris free of charge with proof of residency. Neither bagged debris nor construction debris will be accepted at the sites. Contractors are NOT authorized to use these sites:

• Bailey Road Maintenance Yard located at 3163 Bailey Rd in Fernandina Beach. Open seven days per week from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Hilliard Maintenance Yard located at 37356 Pea Farm Road in Hilliard. Open seven days per week from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

We will make announcements at a later time regarding second sweeps for vegetative debris. ​It is undetermined at this time when the contractor will have haul trucks available to pick up the construction debris. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office 

10/18/17 @ 4:15 p.m. - Attached is a flyer from the Small Business Administration Office regarding SBA Disaster Loans available to business owners, homeowners, and renters to assist with recovery efforts. These are low interest loans with terms up to 30 years.

Please review the flyer for information on how to apply, or call (800) 659-2955 or (800) 877-8339 (for individuals with hearing impairment).  

Please note that individuals who have applied for any other grant or assistance program should check with those agencies first to determine how an approval of a SBA Disaster Loan might affect their eligibility.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/18/17 @ 10:00 a.m. - The Florida Department of Transportation has provided the attached monthly status report for the State Road 200/A1A Widening Project. The report gives an overview on activities that have taken place since the project began in September 2014, as well as the activities that are expected to take place this month.

If you have any questions, please contact Odette Struys, Public Information Officer for FDOT, at (904) 360-5582 or via e-mail at Odette.Struys@dot.state.fl.us.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/18/17 @ 8:50 a.m. - Attached is a Press Release issued by the Nassau County Health Department regarding an upcoming presentation by Laura DiBella, Nassau County Economic Development Board Director. The event will take place on Wednesday November 1st from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Nassau Room located in the Red Bean Center at FSCJ - Nassau. Ms. DiBella will provide a snapshot of the local economy from past, present to future and how it relates to healthcare. There will also be an update on the most recent Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) accomplishments including their identified strategic areas: Access to Care; Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse; and Transportation. 

​If you have any questions, please contact Mary von Mohr at (904) 557-9133 or via e-mail at mary.vonmohr@flhealth.gov. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office 

10/17/17 @ 4:10 p.m. - Please see the below notice from Nassau County Emergency Management regarding scammers presenting themselves as FEMA Representatives. When you're done reading, be sure to share this information with family and friends to ensure that they do not fall victim to these scammers.

​From Nassau County Emergency Management: 
NCEM has been notified that several residents have received fraudulent correspondence purporting to be from FEMA. These letters have been regarding applications... for disaster benefits and may be directed to any resident, whether they have registered for federal assistance or not.

Federal and state workers do not ask for or accept money. FEMA staff will never charge applicants for disaster assistance, home inspections, or help filling out applications. FEMA does not require any resident to provide credit or debit card information and does not issue benefits on "Green Dot Cards."
Do not fall for false promises to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance, or building permit process. There are no shortcuts.

If you suspect fraud, please contact the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, email them at disaster@leo.gov, or report it to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
In Florida, disaster-related fraud can be reported to 1-855-352-7233.
You may also contact the Nassau County Sheriff's Office at 904-548-4009 or 855-725-2630 to report suspected fraud or criminal activity.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office

10/17/17 @ 10:25 a.m. - Please see the below Press Release from the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity regarding the Town Hall Meeting to discuss the future of Western Nassau. 

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 17, 2017
CONTACT: KRISTINA BOWEN
NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
(904) 530-3600
 
Urban Land Institute (ULI)
Western Nassau County
Technical Advisory Panel (TAP)
 
Event:
Nassau County engaged the ULI North Florida District Council to convene a Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) for the purpose of facilitating community dialogue and studying western Nassau County. The ULI and Nassau County are hosting a town-hall style meeting to exchange ideas and serve as the catalysis for ongoing community based dialogue to ensure the citizens of western Nassau are actively engaged in shaping its future. 
 
More information related to the Western Nassau - ULI TAP and/or to provide comments on-line via a digital comment card visit http://www.nassaucountyfl.com/index.aspx?nid=840.
 
Who:  Citizens of Western Nassau County, the ULI TAP, County Staff
What: Town-hall style meeting with the ULI’s Western Nassau TAP
Why:  To promote public discourse on the future of western Nassau County
When: November 8, 2017 at 6 pm
Where: Northeast Florida Fairgrounds
       Multi-Purpose Building
       543350 US Hwy 1
       Callahan, Fl 32011
 
ULI Mission:
The mission of the Urban Land Institute is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.
 
ULI is committed to:

• Bringing together leaders from across the fields of real estate and land use policy to exchange best practices and serve community needs;
• Fostering collaboration within and beyond ULI’s membership through mentoring, dialogue, and problem solving;
• Exploring issues of urbanization, conservation, regeneration, land use, capital formation, and sustainable development;
• Advancing land use policies and design practices that respect the uniqueness of both the built and natural environments;
• Sharing knowledge through education, applied research, publishing, and electronic media; and
• Sustaining a diverse global network of local practice and advisory efforts that address current and future challenges.

 
https://americas.uli.org/about-uli/mission-priorities/
 
Contact:
For more information contact Kristina Bowen with Nassau County Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300 or kbowen@nassaucountyfl.com.
 
Public participation is encouraged and sought without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or family status.  Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Kristina Bowen or Taco Pope at (904)530-6300 at least 7 days before the meeting.
 

10/16/17 @ 3:00 p.m. - The Master Gardeners will be holding their annual Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 21st from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the James S. Page Governmental Complex.

​This event will feature propagated plants, trees, and shrubs, as well as secondhand gardening equipment and garden décor. All proceeds will benefit the Nassau County Horticulture Program and provide funding for professional development, demonstration gardens, and volunteer educational projects offered through the Nassau County Extension Office.

​For more information, please call the Extension Office at (904) 530-6353.

​-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office 

10/13/17 @ 4:40 p.m. - As of Thursday, October 12th, a total of 52,848 cubic yards of storm debris has been collected in Nassau County since the start date of September 18th. 

​Due to the widespread amount of debris, the contractor has not been able to provide an exact schedule for pickup. However, we were notified today that the first sweep for removal of vegetative debris on the island will be done by Monday, October 23rd.

​Attached is a list reflecting roads that the contractor has begun clearing, however please note that none of these roads are complete yet. 

​Beginning Monday, October 23rd, a majority of the trucks will move off the island to focus on vegetative debris for the areas east and west of I-95. 

​As a reminder, two drop off sites have been established for citizens who wish to deliver their debris in lieu of waiting for a contractor, or for those residing on private roads. Both sites will accept vegetative debris free of charge with proof of residency. Neither bagged debris nor construction debris will be accepted at the sites. Contractors are NOT authorized to use these sites:

• Bailey Road Maintenance Yard located at 3163 Bailey Rd in Fernandina Beach. Open seven days per week from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Hilliard Maintenance Yard located at 37356 Pea Farm Road in Hilliard. Open seven days per week from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Note: there was an attempt to only open this site open on Saturdays and Sundays due to lack of use, however drop off has increased so the site has re-opened to 7 days per week)

We will make announcements at a later time regarding second sweeps for vegetative debris. ​It is undetermined at this time when the contractor will have haul trucks available to pick up the construction debris. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office 

10/13/17 @ 11:35 a.m. - Below is lane closure information for State Road 200/A1A for the week of October 14-October 20, 2017. NOTE; THIS INCLUDES DAYTIME LANE CLOSURES ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH.

SUBJECT: LANE CLOSURE INFORMATION
Job Description: SR‐200 Reconstruction (W of Rubin Rd. to E of CR 107 Scott Rd.)
Financial Project Number: 210712‐4‐52‐01 & 210712‐4‐56‐01 Federal Aid Project Number: 4881064P
Contract Number: T2579
County ‐ Section Number: Nassau ‐ 74060
 
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF THE CLOSURE:

Daytime/Nighttime: 

• SR 200 EB/WB Right Lane from St. Peter Blvd to Meadowfield Bluff; Saturday, 10/14/17; 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• SR 200 EB/WB Left Lane from St. Peter Blvd to Meadowfield Bluff; Saturday, 10/14/17; 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

 
Nighttime: 

• SR 200 EB/WB Left Lane from St. Peter Blvd to Meadowfield Bluff; Tuesday, 10/17/17 thru Friday, 10/20/17; 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM

 
REASON FOR THE CLOSURE (Type of Construction / Maintenance Activity):
Striping & Striping Removal, Traffic Shift
Install Barrier Wall
 
NOTE: Scheduled lane closures subject to change due to weather.
 
PROJECT ENGINEER OR CONTACT PERSON AND TELEPHONE NUMBER:
ETM               
Carrie Smithheart, PA
Office:(904) 265‐3170
Cell:(904) 509‐9007

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
 
 

10/10/17 @ 5:10 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE ON DEBRIS REMOVAL IN UNINCORPORATED
AREAS OF NASSAU COUNTY

Nassau County, Florida – Debris removal on County maintained roads located within the unincorporated areas of Nassau County began on Monday, September 18, 2017. To date, 43,000 cubic yards of debris has been removed from County right-of-ways east of I-95. The contractor, Crowder Gulf, currently has 9 haul trucks in operation. Each truck is assigned to a designated Zone. As a Zone is completed, the crew will be authorized to move on to the next Zone.

Due to the widespread amount of debris, the contractor has not been able to provide a set schedule. Single piles of debris can take several trips therefore it is hard for them to determine how long a particular Zone will take and when they can move on to the next Zone. The contractor is working 7 days per week from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. in an effort to move quickly.

As of the week of October 9, 2017, the contractor still has crews driving all County roads west of I-95 doing assessments of the debris and determining the best route of removal. This area is very spread out so this phase is taking additional time and we appreciate your patience while they continue their assessments. It is anticipated that the contractor will add additional haul trucks in the next 2 weeks which will focus solely on the areas west of I-95.

Below are some friendly reminders regarding the debris removal process:

• The contractor will only be picking up yard debris (tree limbs, logs, leaves, etc.) and construction debris (fencing, shingles, drywall, etc.) from County maintained roads. Items should be separated into two piles and placed in the right-of-way. Failure to separate will prevent the contractor from picking up any debris at the site as these items are taken to different collection sites.
• Bagged debris or debris in containers will not be picked up. Furthermore, having these types of items mixed into your piles will prevent the contractor from picking up any debris at the site.
• Large limbs and logs may require additional equipment, therefore, this type of debris may be left behind on the first pass
• Appliances and household furniture will not be picked up. These items are accepted at the Nassau County Landfill located at 46026 Landfill Road in Callahan. Please call (904) 530-6700 with questions about the types of items accepted.
• If the contractor visits a particular road and determines that there isn’t enough room in the haul truck to remove it all, they may only pick up a few piles. Just because they visited your road and took some piles does not mean that they are complete and will not be returning.
• Cities and Towns have their own contractor to handle debris within their limits. Individuals residing within the City of Fernandina Beach or the Towns of Hilliard of Callahan would need to contact those entities directly with questions or concerns.

Attached is a list of roads in which the contractor has already begun working on. Please note that none of these roads have been completed yet at the time of this publication. We will continue to post weekly updates on our website at www.thecountyinsider.com.

As a reminder, two drop off sites have been established for citizens who wish to deliver their debris in lieu of waiting for a contractor, or for those residing on private roads. Both sites will accept vegetative debris free of charge with proof of residency. Neither bagged debris nor construction debris will be accepted at the sites. Contractors are NOT authorized to use these sites:

• Bailey Road Maintenance Yard located at 3163 Bailey Rd in Fernandina Beach. Open seven days per week from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Hilliard Maintenance Yard located at 37356 Pea Farm Road in Hilliard. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

*********************************************************************************************************
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nassau County Engineering Services at (904) 530-6225.

Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Assistant/Project Specialist
Nassau County Manager’s Office