9/14/20 @ 4:45 p.m. - On Saturday, September 12, 2020, the annual Waste Tire Recycling Event was held at the Nassau County Convenience and Recycling Center. This event allowed residents to dispose of up to 15 tires, free of charge. A total of 684 tires were collected during the 3 and a half hour event. Below is a breakdown of tires collected from each zip code.

A big thank you to the following Nassau County employees for their hard work the day of the event:

Becky Diden, Edward "Lynn" Diden, John Horne, David Brown, James Sweat, Chris Davis, Bryan Graff and Ryan Peele.

9/14/20 @ 8:45 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Board of County Commissioners
Monday, September 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. AND
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Planning & Zoning Board
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Essential Housing Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
State Issues Executive Order Allowing Bars to Operate at 50% Capacity Beginning Monday, September 14, 2020
 
Nassau County, Florida, September 12, 2020 - On Thursday, September 10, 2020, Halsey Beshears, Secretary for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, issued Executive Order No. 2020-10, to allow alcohol vendors to operate under guidelines outlined in Phase 2 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida’s Recovery.
 
Phase 2 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida’s Recovery was established by Executive Order No. 20-139, issued by Governor DeSantis on June 3, 2020.  A copy of it can be found at: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-139.pdf.
 
According to the DBPR website, bars and other alcoholic beverage vendors may resume sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 14, 2020, provided that that the operations comply with the parameters of the Phase 2 Plan. Vendors can operate at 50% of the facility’s indoor patrons, allow bar service to seated patrons, and permit outdoor seating and service with appropriate social distancing. For additional information, please visit:  http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/press-releases/.
 
DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears stated, “In meetings with hundreds of owners of bars and breweries across the State, I’ve heard their stories of struggle, and I’ve observed their serious commitment to making health and safety a continuing priority in their businesses. It’s time that we take this step, and it’s vital that we start moving forward with this sector of our hospitality industry who have endured one of the toughest paths for sustaining a business during this pandemic.
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If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.

9/11/20 @ 11:50 a.m.

Just a friendly reminder that the waste tire amnesty event will be help tomorrow at the convenience and recycling center. This event allows each Nassau County household to dispose of up 15 car and truck tires at no cost, with proof of residency. Each tire should be off the rim and free of debris. No commercial loads.

WHAT: Tire Waste Amnesty Day
WHEN: Saturday, September 12th from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (or until trailer is full... whichever comes first)
WHERE: Nassau County Convenience Recycle Center, 46026 Landfill Rd., Callahan, FL 32011

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6702.

-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

9/11/20 @ 8:45 a.m. - Governor DeSantis issued the attached Memorandum ordering all flags in the State to be flown at half-staff in honor of Patriot Day.

"On September 11, 2001, our country suffered a tragic loss when acts of terrorism were committed on American soil resulting in the deaths of 2,977 individuals. May we never forget the valiant efforts of our military, first responders and other emergency personnel who risked their lives to save others".


-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

On December 19, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners formed a Beach Community Working Group to review current beach related Ordinances and use of the beach. A total of sixteen (16) meetings were held in 2019.  Hundreds of individuals appeared at meetings and hundreds more sent emails expressing concerns about a myriad of issues including but not limited to, items left on the beach, horseback riding, safety issues, and littering. However, most of the concerns related to beach driving and unregulated camping.
 
After a year of meetings and thousands of testimonies, it became abundantly clear that the current Ordinances are not working and that changes need to be made to protect the citizens, environment and wildlife. The Beach Community Working Group presented their recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners at a Workshop held on January 16, 2020.
 
Following the Workshop, the Commissioners held individual meetings with the County Manager, Mike Mullin; Assistant County Manager, Taco Pope; Public Works Director, Doug Podiak; and Butch Osborne, Director of Operations for the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. During these meetings, the Commissioners further discussed the recommendations made by the Beach Community Working Group and provided input about language they would like included in the final Ordinance.  A public hearing was initially scheduled for March 23rd, however that was postponed due to COVID-19 and the Governor’s orders to suspend in-person quorums for local government meetings.
 
The Board of County Commissioners has worked hard to find ways to address concerns that have been brought forth. While they want to maintain the customary uses of the beach that make our County unique, they also want to ensure we are being good stewards to the environment and eliminating some of the unwelcomed behavior that is threatening the safety of our residents and wildlife and impacting the quality of life for those who live nearby.
 
A public hearing to consider a new Beach Ordinance will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. The public is welcome to attend. Additional measures have been established to allow for social distancing. This includes additional seating and video monitors outside the Commission Chambers.
 
You can also participate remotely using the following options:

• Watch the meeting from home at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings
• Submit comments for the record by emailing comments@nassaucountyfl.com or calling (904) 530-6009 and leaving a message.
• Participate live utilizing the following ZOOM Meeting link and/or dial-in information:

 
Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82411146045?pwd=ZDk2L1RmZmMrOTRXcExpZGVmRS9DZz09
Password: 987321

Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13462487799,82411146045#,,,,0#,,987321#  or +16465588656,,82411146045#,,,,0#,,987321#

Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799  or +1 646 558 8656  or +1 669 900 9128  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1       301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799
 
Webinar ID: 824 1114 6045
Password: 987321
 
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keiOjshSY8
 
The meeting agenda containing the proposed Ordinance will be published on our official website at www.nassaucountyfl.com by the close of business today.  
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/10/20 @ 3:20 p.m. - The Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Emergency Management have collaborated efforts to bring a COVID-19 testing bus to Nassau County this Saturday, September 12th. The bus will be located at the 8 Flags Shopping Center on South 14th Street in Fernandina Beach from 12:00-5:00 p.m.

Testing will be on a first come, first served basis and is open to both children and adults. You do not have to have symptoms to be tested at this event. Please bring some form of photo identification.

Individuals without transportation can use the Island Hopper by visiting one of the bus stops at the designated time shown in this attachment.

If you have any questions, please contact the Nassau County Department of Health at (904) 875-6100.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/10/20 @ 2:45 p.m. - World Suicide Prevention Day is held annually on September 10th. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one million people die each year by suicide at a rate of one death every 40 seconds.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, we are reminded that people of all ages, race, and economic background can become victims of this horrible pandemic.

It is important that we all work together to prevent suicide. Learn the warning signs so you can identify someone who may be at risk and encourage them to seek help. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please know that you are not alone. Click here to read stories of hope and recovery. You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, at 1 (800) 273-8255.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/8/20 @ 5:30 p.m. - The Nassau County Department of Health has issued the attached Press Release in observance of National Suicide Prevention Month. The release includes information on suicide rates throughout the United States, risk factors and warning signs. It also includes a list of resources for suicide prevention.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office