5/12/21 @ 3:15 p.m. - The project manager for England, Thims & Miller sent us this video of crews pouring concrete for the box culvert extension for the Pages Dairy Rd. Widening & Resurfacing Project.

Other progress videos for this project can be found on our Road Construction Playlist on our YouTube channel.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/12/21 @ 10:05 a.m. - At the meeting held on Monday, May 10, 2021, the Board approved a Resolution proclaiming the month of May as Mental Health First Aid Month to raise awareness of the importance of emotional wellness.

Too many times, people avoid getting the help they need because of the negative perception many have about mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. However, our community's wellness is critical to the success of our county.

Citizens are urged to become familiar with signs, symptoms, and risk factors of mental illness and substance abuse disorders in both children and adults so they can increase their confidence and the likelihood that they can help an individual in distress.

Katrina Robinson-Wheeler of Starting Point Behavioral Health was in attendance to accept the Resolution. She stated, "Learning these skills can help us to help each other. Life in general can cause us to feel some symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. It's a very common reaction to different events".

The Board appreciates the efforts of local health care providers and professionals who provide treatment services, prevention services and support for Nassau County residents.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/11/21 @ 4:00 p.m. - Please see the below Press Release from the Northeast Florida Regional Council regarding the recently approved Northeast Florida COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. This plan was developed by the Northeast Florida Economic Resilience Task Force which was established to study individual counties and their ability to "bounce back" after an uncontrollable event such as a major storm or pandemic. Efforts include 7 counties in northeast Florida, including Nassau.

P R E S S  R E L E A S E

Contact: Kate Haigh
Title: Communications Specialist
Phone: 904-279-0880
Email: khaigh@nefrc.or

Northeast Florida COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan Approved Jacksonville, FL – The Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC), a government agency that serves seven counties and 25 municipalities, announced today the official release of the Northeast Florida COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. The plan was formally approved through a unanimous vote of the NEFRC Board of Directors on Thursday, May 6th, 2021.

The recovery plan, which outlines detailed recommendations for economic recovery, was developed by the Northeast Florida Economic Resilience Task Force, a policy group of more than 20 leaders from across the region representing local governments, regional economic development organizations, private sector companies, and nonprofit organizations. The Task Force was made possible through Federal CARES Act funding allocated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and awarded to the NEFRC in August 2020 to support economic resilience efforts related to the pandemic.

Task Force meetings facilitated in Spring 2021 identified policy recommendations across three priority areas: (1) infrastructure; (2) small business relief and support; and (3) equity. These recommendations ultimately informed the structure of the economic recovery plan.

“This plan reflects the efforts of more than 20 leaders from across the region who dedicated their knowledge, time, and expertise to a planning exercise that lasted for more than six months,” said Beth Payne, Chief Executive Officer of the NEFRC. “Included in this plan are recommendations that can assist local governments and partners in continuing on a successful road to recovery.”

Recommendations included in the plan relate to expanding affordable broadband access, further developing public-private partnerships, strengthening mental health resources, expanding small business support services to rural areas, and a wide array of other priority topic areas.

Upon release of this plan, the NEFRC will begin an implementation process that will involve community outreach, presentations to local governments, and additional technical assistance activities. For more information about the Task Force and its recently published economic recovery plan, please contact Sean Lahav, Resiliency Coordinator at slahav@nefrc.org.

The NEFRC is an independent, regional government agency serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, Nassau and St. Johns counties. It provides a regional perspective toward growth management, economic development, emergency preparedness, resiliency, and community development to enhance the quality of life of Northeast Florida residents. For more information about the Northeast Florida Regional Council, visit www.nefrc.org

5/11/21 @ 10:05 a.m. - A few weeks ago, we reported about individuals dumping materials at recycling bins around the County. That story included photos of a mattress, two larges couches and other items that were dumped by recycling bins on Goodbread Rd.

This Monday, Public Works employees arrived at the Bailey Rd. recycling location to find several boxes of hazardous materials. Items such as paint, fertilizers, gasoline, cleaning products, motor oil, batteries, etc. cannot be disposed of at the landfill and should not be left at the County recycling sites.

Sadly, dumping occurs regularly on County property and County rights-of-ways. Not only is this harmful for the environment, it costs the County thousands of dollars a year in labor, equipment and disposal costs.

The County, in conjunction with Keep Nassau Beautiful and the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department, organizes 2 Household Hazardous Waste Events per year (once in the fall and once in the spring) where these items are collected and taken to a proper disposal location out of County. While it may be a minor inconvenience, we encourage residents to store these items at home and dispose of them at a future recycling event. The next event is already being coordinated for October 2021!

Here is a link to a Recycle and Waste Disposal Tool created by Keep Nassau Beautiful that provides information on how to safely dispose of hundreds of types of items. Also, as a reminder, furniture and household items can be taken to the Convenience Recycling Center located at 46026 Landfill Rd. in Callahan and disposed of at no-charge.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/10/21 @ 8:00 p.m.

At tonight's meeting, the Board recognized Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel on her retirement after 30 years of service as the Health Director for the Nassau County Department of Health. Her last day is this Friday, May 14th. She will be greatly missed but we wish her many years of health and happiness!

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/10/21 @ 10:30 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Board of County Commissioners

Closed Session re: Raydient, LLC, vs. Nassau County, Case No. 2018-CA-467; Raydient, LLC vs. Nassau County, Case No. 2019-CA-54; and Raydient, LLC vs. Michael S. Mullin and Nassaku County, Case No. 2019-CA-51.
Monday, May 10, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.

Special Session re: Fleet Management and FY 21/22 Fleet Replacement Plan.
Monday, May 10, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.

Regular Session:
Monday, May 10, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Code Enforcement Board
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

American Beach Water & Sewer District Meeting
Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Limited Parking at Peters Point and Scott Road Due to 2021 Concours d’Elegance
 
Nassau County, Florida, May 7, 2021 – The 2021 Concours d’Elegance will take place at the Ritz Carlton from May 20-May 23, 2021.
 
Please be advised that the Board has authorized use of the Peters Point and Scott Road Beach Front Parks for parking related to the event. As a result, there will be limited parking spots available for the general public during the following dates:  

• May 16-May 18: The Concours will utilize half of the Peters Point Parking Lot as parking for car transport vehicles. The other half will be open for use by the public.

 

• May 19-May 24: All of Peters Point parking lot will be utilized by the Concours. However, handicapped accessible parking spaces will remain open, as well as the access road to drive onto the beach.

 

• May 20-May 23: Scott Road will only have 15 parking spaces available for the public. All other parking spaces will be used for media and vendor parking related to the event. The access road to drive onto the beach will remain open.

 
If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at (904) 530-6120.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer
 

5/7/21 @ 8:30 a.m. - We are grateful for the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the new Courtyard and Springhill Suites by Marriott on Atlantic Avenue. The 37,000 square foot dual hotel will feature a large pool with hot tub, 239 rooms, 8 of which are pet friendly, a fitness room, a lounge, buffet, bistro, several conference rooms, and a ballroom. There is also a formal dining room which will serve 7 course meals that will be open to the general public.

The total development is estimated at $50 million and will benefit the local economy by providing 100+ hospitality jobs and generating thousands in property taxes and Tourist Development Taxes.

Thank you for Gil Langley and the Amelia Island Convention & Visitor's Bureau for coordinating the tour and inviting representatives from the County. And a big thank you to Olivia Hoblit for showing us around.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

The Nassau County Department of Health issued the below Press Release containing a rabies alert for certain parts of Nassau County.

May 6, 2021
NASSAU COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE RABIES ALERT
Contact: Michael Godwin
Michael.Godwin@flhealth.gov
904-875-6100

Nassau County – The Nassau County Health Department (CHD) issued a rabies alert for central Nassau County. This is in response to a fox that tested positive for rabies.

All residents and visitors in Nassau County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Nassau County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public. Please be aware that rabies activities can also occur outside the alert area.

This rabies alert is for 60 days. The rabies alert includes the following boundaries in Nassau County:

• St. Mary’s River to the North,
• Barnwell Road to the East,
• US Hwy 17 the West,
• State Road 200 South

An animal with rabies may appear sick or lethargic, have problems swallowing, or drool or salivate excessively. A wild animal may appear tamer than usual and some animals may have no visible symptoms. An animal with rabies could infect domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to your county health department. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek immediate veterinary assistance for the animal and contact your local animal control agency.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Nassau County Animal Services at 904-530-6150, or the Nassau Humane Society at 904-491-0122 for incidents in the city of Fernandina Beach.
• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
• Outdoor feeding can attract animals such as feral cats, raccoons, and coyotes. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. 
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.

For further information on rabies, go to http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-andconditions/rabies/index.html, or contact Nassau CHD at 904-875-6100.

About the Florida Department of Health The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

5/5/21 @ 4:45 p.m. - For your convenience, the Nassau County Department of Health has created the attached list of locations in Duval and Nassau Counties where individuals can currently obtain a COVID-19 vaccination. It includes information on the brand of vaccinations available at each location as well.

If you have any questions, please contact Emergency Management at (904) 548-0900.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer