12/31/18 @ 2:30 p.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners: Thursday, January 3, 2019

1) At 9:00 a.m. the Board of County Commissioners will discuss amendments to House Bill 1075, as it relates to the East Nassau Stewardship District, to be submitted to the Nassau Legislative Delegation for their meeting commencing on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.

2) The Special Meeting will be continued to 6:30 p.m. (following the Legislative Delegation) to hear a presentation and recommendation related to the position of the County Manager.

A copy of the Board of County Commissioner's Special Meeting agenda can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/28/18 @ 3:00 p.m. - The Nassau County Public Library System recently recognized Mr. Fred Ash for his 13 years of volunteer service to the Fernandina Beach Branch Library.
Mr. Ash was recognized for his outstanding service and dedication to volunteering in the Cataloging Department – Processing Division.  He has processed thousands of materials that are then sent to all five library branches. In addition to processing, Mr. Ash was involved in the preparation of materials for the RFID program and other special projects. 

For those interested in volunteering at the library, training is held at each library branch. For more information call your local branch at 904-530-6500. 

-Janet Loveless
 Assistant Library Director

12/20/18 @ 2:20 p.m. - The Precautionary Boil Water Notice issued on 12-14-2018 in the area of Sandcastle Villas is hereby rescinded following the satisfactory completion of Bacteriological analysis showing the water is now safe for consumption.
 
You may resume normal usage at this time.

If you have any questions, please contact NAU Customer Service at (904) 530-6030.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
 

12/20/18 @ 8:45 a.m. - The next segment of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee's Housing Speaker Series titled "Myths & Truths About Repairing Your Credit" will take place on Wednesday, January 9th at 6:00 p.m. Information on your credit report has a direct affect on your ability to obtain housing. Meg McAlpine, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent for the Nassau County Extension Office, will be there to explain what factors drag your credit score down and what you can begin doing today to correct it.

WHAT: Myths & Truths About Repairing Your Credit
WHEN: Wednesday, January 9, 2019 AT 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Callahan County Building, 45401 Mickler St.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1079737962200374/


Note: The County Extension Office is made up of agents, staff and volunteers that address real-life issues faced by Floridians of all ages. They can provide you with the latest information and advice on a variety of topics including obesity, chronic disease, food, finances, family stresses, housing, nutrition and more. Services are free to Nassau County residents. If you are interested in obtaining help in any of these areas, please call the County Extension Office at (904) 530-6353.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/19/18 @ 4:55 p.m. - A Boil Water Advisory is in effect for Nassau Amelia Utility customers residing at 95088 to 95100 Sandpiper Condominiums until further notice.
 
Nassau Amelia Utilities has experienced a loss of pressure due to replacing a water meter. The boil water advisory will remain in effect until bacteriological samples are collected and analyzed to reflect a negative result for coliforms. After completion of this process, a notice will be issued to rescind the boil water advisory.
 
Please continue to boil your water until you are notified to disregard the advisory.
 
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this unfortunate incident. Should you have any questions, please contact customer service at (904) 530-6030.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/19/18 @ 4:30 p.m.

On December 6th, Youth Leadership Nassau celebrated regional recognition when it received the Northeast Florida Regional Council’s 2018 Excellence in Education award. Youth Leadership Nassau (YLN) was founded as a project of the Leadership Nassau program and is currently run by Nassau County 4-H. It is a collaboration of hard work by numerous local entities and individuals including the school board, local businesses, and many community organizations. The YLN Steering Committee would like to thank everyone who has assisted with the program as guest speakers, volunteers, hosts of educational tours, mentors, or in numerous other roles to help our youth succeed over the last 15 years. This award demonstrates recognition of a truly community-driven program!

YLN gives high school students from Nassau County the opportunity to meet fellow students, gain increased awareness of community needs, and develop leadership skills. Youth participate in monthly sessions on a variety of topics which include experiential learning, interactions with community leaders, and leadership development lessons. Session topics include Environmental Awareness, Government, and Entrepreneurship. Throughout the course of the program, youth create and implement group projects focused on solving a present-day issue affecting the community.

Since its establishment in 2007, over 250 youth have graduated from the YLN program.  Based on short-term evaluations, YLN develops leadership and other life skills (including communication and cooperation); promotes knowledge gain concerning local government, businesses, and community organizations; and provides networking opportunities for students. By supplementing traditional classroom education for these youth, YLN enhances their leadership qualities and prepares them to be future leaders in our community.

For more information about YLN or Nassau County 4-H, call 904-530-6353.

-Kristen Poppell
 4-H Extension Agent I
 Nassau County Extension Office

12/19/18 @ 10:45 a.m. - In July 2018, Nassau County Fire Rescue introduced their new quarterly newsletter, Tailboard, which highlights outstanding achievements, shares stories of rescue, and provides insight to lessons learned by the brave men and women who work tirelessly to protect Nassau County residents and their property.

Attached is Tailboard Issue 2: Year-End Edition.  This edition includes an interview with a local resident who agreed to tell his remarkable story about how Nassau County Fire Rescue saved his life.

We hope you all enjoy this special edition of Tailboard. If you have any questions, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/18/18 @ 4:50 p.m. - Please be advised that a Boil Water Advisory is in effect for Nassau Amelia Utility customers residing at Sandpiper Villas Units 95060 through 95082. The water has been turned off for a meter replacement and the advisory has been implemented while bacteriological samples are collected and analyzed showing the water is safe for consumption.

If you have any questions, please contact NAU Customer Service at (904) 530-6030.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/18/18 @ 4:20 p.m.

Beginning January 18th, adults who have a Nassau County Library card will be able to check out a ukulele kit from the Fernandina Beach Branch Library. The Fernandina Ukulele Network (FUN) will give a free concert at the Fernandina Beach Branch Library on January 17 at 6 pm to launch a unique partnership with the Library.  Four kits have been donated by FUN that include a ukulele, tuner, and information packet of instructions, Internet resources and music. The objective of the program is to make a musical instrument available to the public to inspire a love of music through this easily played instrument.

Library policies and circulation procedures will apply to the ukulele kits.  More details will be presented at the program or visit the library website. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in this program or activity should contact (904) 548-4660 or the Florida Relay Service at (800) 955-8770(v) or (800) 955-8771 (TDD) at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance to request such accommodations.

Janet Loveless
Assistant Library Director

12/14/18 @ 5:00 p.m. - A precautionary boil water advisory has been issued for Nassau Amelia Utility customers at Sandcastle Villas Buildings North and South. This is due to a customer's request to have the water shut off for a repair. The advisory will remain in effect until a bacteriological sample has been collected and analyzed to confirm the water is still safe for consumption.

If you have any questions, please contact the NAU Customer Service Department at (904) 530-6030.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/14/18 @ 1:20 p.m. - Below is lane closure information for State Road 200 the week of December 15 through December 21, 2018. NOTE: THIS INCLUDES DAYTIME LANE CLOSURES TO THE RIGHT EASTBOUND AND RIGHT WESTBOUND LANE BETWEEN RUBIN DAVIS LANE AND DAVID HALLMAN PARKWAY ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15TH.

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 from Rubin Davis to David Hallman Pkwy; Saturday, 12/15/18; 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• SR 200 EB Right Lane from Rubin Davis to David Hallman Pkwy; Saturday, 12/15/18; 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

 
Nighttime:

• SR 200 WB Right Lane from Rubin Davis to David Hallman Pkwy; Monday, 12/17/18 – Thursday, 12/20/18; 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
• SR 200 EB Right Lane from Rubin Davis to David Hallman Pkwy; Monday, 12/15/18 – Thursday, 12/20/18; 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM

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

12/14/18 @ 11:00 a.m. - Senator Marco Rubio will host local office hours on Tuesday, December 18th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Amelia Island Chamber of Commerce located at 961658 Gateway Blvd., Suite 101G, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Residents can use this opportunity to meet Senator Rubio's staff and ask questions about important issues including but not limited to:

• -Immigration
• -Medicare
• -IRS/Banking
• -Military/VA
• -Social Security
• -Legislative Issues

For more information, please call the North Florida Regional Office at (904) 354-4300.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/13/18 @ 5:15 p.m. - The Boil Water Notice issued on November 27, 2018 for the Amelia Golf Club Owner's Clubhouse and Pro Shop Kitchen has been rescinded following completion of a bacteriological analysis showing that the water is now safe for consumption.

If you have any questions, please contact NAU Customer Service at (904) 530-6030.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/13/18 @ 3:00 p.m. - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former Nassau County Commissioner Walter "Junior" Boatright.

Mr. Boatright served as County Commissioner for District Five from November 18, 2008 through November 21, 2016, and as Chairman of the Board on two separate occasions.  Mr. Boatright also represented Nassau County on numerous other Boards and Committees including the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordination Board, the Economic Development Board, the Small County Coalition, the St. Marys River Management Committee, Value Adjustment Board, the Canvassing Board, JEA's Board of Directors, and the Local Mitigation Strategy Task Force.

Mr. Boatright always treated his fellow commissioners, county staff and constituents with respect and fairness. He was known and loved for his kindness and his great sense of humor. Even after his term as County Commissioner had ended, he continued to be active in the community and maintained life-long friendships with many members of the County staff. He will be greatly missed by all of us.

Mr. Boatright's family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, December 17th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and the service will be held on Tuesday, December 18th at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Callahan.

Please pray for Mr. Boatright's wife, Tonya, their boys, Steven and Jeremy, and his grandchildren as they suffer the loss of this kind and generous man.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/12/18 @ 3:15 p.m. 

On December 6th, Nassau County celebrated an award win for planning excellence at the Northeast Florida Regional Council’s annual Elected Officials Luncheon and Regional Leadership Awards event. The County received this year’s award for Excellence in Planning and Growth Management for the William Burgess Overlay District. Nassau County’s work was selected from the seven county region that encompasses Northeast Florida.
 
The Burgess Overlay and Vision Book represent a philosophical shift in land use planning in Nassau County away from the auto-dependent development pattern that has dominated growth and towards a sustainable, compact, mixed-use and multi-modal development pattern. The intent of the WBD is to utilize the built environment to promote social ties and the cultivation of community, highlight Nassau’s railroad history to facilitate a sense of place experience, and take advantage of multi-modal transportation opportunities in a growing part of Yulee. As noted in the NEFRC’s comments on presentation of the award, “The William Burgess Overlay District and Vision Book lay the groundwork for future proactive, innovative land use planning in Nassau County, and serve as a model for other communities in Florida. All our communities have been talking about these issues.  Nassau County is doing it.”
This is the third award for the County’s Planning and Economic Opportunity Department this year related to work on the William Burgess Overlay District. In September, the Nassau County Planning and Economic Opportunity Department won the American Planning Association-Florida Chapter award for Best Practices, one of only three statewide Best Practices awards this year, for the Burgess Overlay. In November, the First Coast Chapter of the Florida Planning and Zoning Association awarded Nassau County the Master Planning of Land Areas Award for the William Burgess Overlay.
The Nassau County PEO Department has been very busy working to help the community and citizens plan for the future, especially in the face of growth pressures impacting the County. As Taco Pope, AICP and PEO Director explains, “As Nassau enters this period of population expansion, it is imperative the community make planning, policy and design decisions that that put people at the center of the equation – establishing a people-first agenda. Such an agenda prioritizes citizen wellbeing, quality-of-life and generational sustainability.” Planning staff, after listening and working with community members, are facilitating many numerous long-range planning projects that aim to help the County prosper and maintain balance and cohesiveness.

Nassau County looks forward to more proactive planning opportunities to ensure Nassau County maintains its high quality of life and is the best county in Florida in which to live, work, and play.  More information on the William Burgess Overlay can be found at www.nassaucountyfl.com/burgessoverlay.

The Nassau County Planning and Economic Opportunity Department is charged with leading long-range and current planning for the community, with a focus on technical planning, implementation and management of the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan, development and site plan review, and assistance to citizens, the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager and other staff, advisory boards, government agencies, and the private sector regarding growth and development in Nassau County. For more information on our Plan, Code, or current initiatives, visit www.nassaucountyfl.com/planning, call (904) 530-6300 or email [email protected].

For additional information, please contact Adrienne Burke, Assistant Director for the Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300 or via email at [email protected].