1/29/18 @ 10:05 a.m. - Attached are monthly progress reports from the Florida Department of Transportation as it relates to the State Road 200 construction projects. The reports include information on activities that have taken place since the project began, as well as activities that were anticipated to take place in January.

If you have any questions, please contact Odette Struys, Information Officer for FDOT, at (904) 360-5582 or via email at [email protected].

1/26/18 @ 10:50 a.m. - Below is lane closure information for State Road 200 for the week of January 27-February 2, 2018. NOTE: THIS INCLUDES DAYTIME CLOSURES FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 27TH BETWEEN DAVID HALLMAN PARKWAY AND OLD NASSAUVILLE ROAD.

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:    

• SR 200 EB/WB Left Lane from David Hallman Parkway to Old Nassauville Rd; Saturday, 01/27/18, 6:00 AM -5:00 PM
• SR 200 EB/WB Left Lane from David Hallman Parkway to Old Nassauville Rd; Sunday, 01/28/18, 6:00 AM- 5:00 PM

 
Nighttime:

• SB Right Lane Blackrock Rd and SR 200; Wednesday, 01/31/18 & Thursday, 02/01/18, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM 
• NB Right Lane Blackrock Rd and SR 200; Friday, 02/02/18, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
• SB Right Lane David Hallman Parkway and SR 200; Wednesday, 01/31/18 & Thursday, 02/01/18, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM 
• NB Right Lane David Hallman Parkway and SR 200; Friday, 02/02/18, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM

 
REASON FOR THE CLOSURE (Type of Construction Maintenance Activity):
Drainage Crossing
Attenuator Maintenance
 
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      
 

1/26/18 @ 10:00 a.m. - Tomorrow is the 4th Annual Guns & Hoses Charity Event featuring Nassau County Fire Rescue, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue, and the Fernandina Beach Police Department. The event will feature four exciting softball games, Indulge Food Truck, What's Smoking Food Truck, bounce houses, service vehicles and other activities for the kids. Entry is $5 per person (children 12 and under are free).  

Date: Saturday, January 27, 2018
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Ybor Alvarez Spors Complex

Schedule of Events

• 10:00 a.m. - Gates Open
  
• 10:15 a.m. - Landing by TraumaOne Flight Services
• 10:40 a.m. - Greeting by United Way Rep, Mark Mitchell
  
• 10:45 a.m. - Greetings by Chief Ty Silcox (FBFD), Chief James Hurley (FBPD), Sheriff Bill Leeper (NCSO) and Chief Brady Rigdon (NCFR)
  
• 10:55 a.m. - Game Prayer by State Representative Cord Byrd; presentation of colors by Cub Scout Pack #583; and National Anthem presented by members of FBHS Band
  
• 11:00 a.m. - FBPD vs NCSO on Field One and FBFD vs NCFR on Field Two
  
• 12:10 p.m. - Vystar Home Run Derby with Wesley Hurlock, Vystar Fernandina Beach Branch, Field Two
  
• 12:30 p.m. - Game for 3rd Place on Field One
  
• 1:40 p.m. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Present: "Five Alarm Footrace" or "Cops & Robbers". Field Two. Win Jumbo Shrimp Tickets!
  
• 1:50 p.m. - Kids Run the Bases with Sparky the Fire Dog and Darren the Lion on Field Two
  
• 2:00 p.m. - Game for 1st Place on Field One
  
• 3:10 p.m. - Presentation of Trophy
  

We hope that you will join us tomorrow to cheer on your favorite first responders and have a little fun! All proceeds will benefit the United Way of Northeast Florida.

https://www.facebook.com/events/279537275906466/permalink/283535988839928/

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/26/18 @ 9:00 a.m. - Below is a schedule of upcoming meetings of the Fact Finding Committee that was established to meet with citizens to discuss the proposed changes to the Animal Control Ordinance including the ban against unattended tethering and language that would prohibit animals from being transported outside the cab of a vehicle in temperatures below 45 or over 85 degrees.

As previously indicated, the Fact Finding Meetings are the proper forum for expressing concerns about the proposed changes. The decision regarding the proposed changes will not be considered by the Committee, therefore no action will be taken at these meetings. The Fact Finding Committee is listening to citizen comments and compiling information to be discussed at a future meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. If you have concerns that you would like the Committee to be aware of, you should plan on attending at least one of these meetings to ensure your opinions are included in the information that is presented to the Board. It is not necessary for you to attend each individual meeting, however anyone is welcome to do so.

Upcoming Meetings of the Fact Finding Committee:

• Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097
• Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., Callahan Multi-Purpose Facility, 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011
• Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097
• Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., Callahan Multi-Purpose Facility, 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011
  

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Animal Services at (904) 530-6150 or email [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/25/18 @ 2:25 p.m. - The Nassau County Public Library System hosts weekly Tots Early Literacy Programs for young children and their families to begin emergent literacy skills and instill a lifelong love of reading and learning. Participants explore and learn through music, stories, finger plays, and other activities which aid in their development.

In December 2017, Nassau County Manager, Shanea Jones, was invited to be a Celebrity Reader at both the Fernandina and Yulee Library Branches and she happily accepted. After reading several holiday stories, Ms. Jones led the children in singing holiday songs. A great time was had by all!

If you are interested being a Celebrity Reader, please contact Youth Librarian, Michelle Forde, at (904) 530-6506 or via email at [email protected]. You can also visit the Library's website for a complete schedule of children's programs.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/23/18 @ 9:05 a.m. - The County was just notified by Norfolk Southern that they will be closing the railroad crossing on Oak Hill Road from approximately 11:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. today while they repave the crossing. If you have any questions, please contact Norfolk Southern at 904-366-1403.

-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

1/22/18 @ 1:30 p.m. - The Fact Finding Committee held their first meeting on Thursday, January 18th at the muti-purpose facility in Callahan. A hand full of people were in attendance. Four people spoke in favor of the proposed revisions including a ban against unattended tethering of dogs and language that would prohibit animals from being transported outside of the cab of a vehicle in temperatures below 45 degrees or over 85 degrees. Two other individuals spoke and expressed concerns over the temperature range for transporting animals.

As previously indicated, the Board of County Commissioners established the Fact Finding Committee to hold a series of meetings with the general public and to bring back their findings. Since Friday, many citizens have contacted the County or used social media to share their thoughts regarding the proposed changes. Please note that the Fact Finding Meetings are the appropriate forum for citizens to expresss their concerns as all the information and thoughts shared at the meetings will be provided to the County Commission at a later time. Should the Board choose to make revisions to the Ordinance, a public hearing will be advertised and held in according with Florida Statutes.

The second meeting of the Fact Finding Committee has been scheduled for Thursday, February 8th at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioner Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL, 32097. The County is in the process of scheduling at least two more meetings. The date, time and location of those meetings will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

1/19/18 @ 10:50 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners is seeking someone to represent them on the Keep Nassau Beautiful Board of Directors.

Keep Nassau Beautiful is a non- profit organization that focuses on educating the public on ways to improve the community's appearance, establishing litter control programs, and organizing community recycling events.

Their Board of Directors meets every other month on the second Tuesday from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Members are responsible for attending meetings regularly, reviewing financial reports, exploring ideas and policies, and participating in community events. Membership is strictly voluntary as members do not receive any stipend.

If you are interested in community improvement and would like to get involved, please contact the County Manager's Office at (904) 530-6010 or email [email protected].

- Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

1/18/18 @ 1:00 p.m. - Below is a Press Release from the Nassau County Health Department regarding the recent increase in flu activity. The press release also contains tips on how to prevent contracting it.


​DOH-NASSAU REMINDS YOU TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS THIS FLU SEASON
​Contact: Emily Cason [email protected](904) 875-6100
​
Nassau County, Fla.— In Florida and throughout the U.S., flu activity is on the rise. In Nassau County, we are currently seeing moderate flu activity and influenza activity has been increasing over the past several weeks.
​
According to Eugenia Ngo-Seidel, MD, MPH, DOH-Nassau Director, “Flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from the flu and from serious flu complications. In addition to getting the flu vaccine, stay home when you are sick and keep sick children home from school and daycare. Sick people should stay home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication.”
​
DOH-Nassau is urging residents to get your flu vaccine now if you have not already. There are still weeks of flu activity to come. It is not too late to get your flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is safe, and recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women.

Flu vaccines can vary in effectiveness from season to season, but they continue to be the best way to prevent influenza infection and serious influenza complications. To locate a flu shot near you, contact your health care provider or use DOH’s flu shot locator: www.flhealth.gov/findaflushot

If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as possible. Your health care provider can prescribe antiviral treatment if appropriate. Treatment is most effective when started within 48 hours, so calling as soon as you become ill is important, especially if you or your loved one is at a higher risk for complications: children younger than 5, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical conditions.
Stay home from work and keep children home from school or daycare when sick to help prevent spreading the flu to others. It is also essential to practice good hygiene by properly and frequently washing your hands. Make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office. You can take additional steps to ward off the flu by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and avoiding touching your face.

Visit FluFreeFlorida.com for more information on how you can be a part of #FluFreeFlorida. Visit www.floridahealth.gov/floridaflu for more information on influenza and influenza-like illness in Florida.

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 visitwww.FloridaHealth.gov.

1/12/18 @ 5:00 p.m. - In the Spring of 2017, a group of concerned citizens contacted the County requesting the Board of County Commissioners to pass an Ordinance prohibiting unattended tethering of animals. Tethering is a term that is used when someone uses a rope, chain, strap or cord to keep an animal within a certain radius.

The Board subsequently held a public hearing on May 22, 2017, to consider amendment to Ordinance No. 2004-58, known as the Animal Control Ordinance. Animal Services Director, Tim Maguire, made a presentation to the Board which included statistics about tethering and the process for complaints.

Though some citizens in attendance desired to ban unattended tethering completely, the Board members expressed concerns about how it would be enforced, as well as whether or not a ban would cause an increase in the number of animal surrenders to the shelter. After much discussion, the Board voted to amend the Ordinance to state that owners may leave a dog tethered outdoors on their property for a reasonable period of time not to exceed twelve (12) hours in a twenty-four (24) hour period and that a dog may never be left tethered or unattended on vacant or abandoned property. The Board directed Nassau County Animal Services to begin a campaign to educate the public about alternatives to tethering and to notify residents of the new twelve (12) hour rule.

The Board requested that Animal Services begin tracking tethering complaints they receive and to provide them with an update every three (3) months. Updates were provided at the August 23 and November 27, 2017 meetings. At the November 27th meeting, the Board created a fact finding committee consisting of County Manager, Shanea Jones, County Attorney, Mike Mullin, and Animal Services Director, Tim Maguire. They were directed to hold a series of meetings in the county to provide information to the public on tethering and to hear the opinions of the general public. The committee will gather the information they receive and will bring it back to the Board of County Commissioners at a future date.

The committee will be holding their first of a series of meetings on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Multi-Use Facility located at 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011. The public is invited to be present and be heard. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate should contact the office of the ex-officio clerk to the Board (904) 548-4660 or Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8770 (v) or 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance to request such accommodation.

-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

1/12/18 @ 4:42 p.m. - County Offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2018, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 16th at 8:00 a.m. We hope you all have a great weekend.

-Sabrina Robertson
Counth Manager's Office

1/11/18 @ 10:50 a.m. - Below is lane closure information for State Road 200 for the week of January 13-January 18, 2018. PLEASE NOTE THIS INCLUDES A DAYTIME LANE CLOSURE FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 13TH.

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:    

• SR 200 WB Right Lane at Lofton Creek; Saturday, 01/13/18, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

 
Nighttime:

• Barnwell SB Right Lane at SR 200; Tuesday thru Friday, 01/16/18 thru 01/19/18, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM

 
REASON FOR THE CLOSURE (Type of Construction Maintenance Activity):
Roadway Maintenance
Force Main Installations
 
PROJECT ENGINEER OR CONTACT PERSON AND TELEPHONE NUMBER:
ETM                                        
Carrie Smithheart, PA              
Office: (904) 265-3170          
Cell: (904) 509-9007