NE Florida News

Mission

Under the direction of the Deputy City Manager, the goal of the Fernandina Beach Citizens’ Advisory Task Force on Walking and Biking (“Task Force”) is to gather proposals from residents and visitors on sidewalks, trails, paths, and bike lanes to make our community more accessible and friendly for walkers, runners, cyclists and people with mobility issues.

Why

Every recent Fernandina Beach citizen survey reflects walkability and bikeability as the number one priority for residents. With a growing population and 1.6 million visitors to Amelia Island each year, it’s time to prioritize mobility alternatives for walking and biking.

Who

The Deputy City Manager has appointed a panel of six City residents representing diverse neighborhoods, interests and physical abilities, including a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.

How and When

The Task Force will hold its initial organizational meeting on March 22, 2023 at City Hall, 204 Ash Street. In April and May , there will be three Community Walking and Biking Town Hall Meetings to invite citizen input. Additionally, the Task Force will work with City staff to develop an online tool to gather additional public input. In June, there will be two final Task Force consensus-building meetings to select short-, mid- and long-term recommendations and draft the Task Force Final Report. On July 7, 2023, the Fernandina Beach Citizens’ Advisory Task Force on Walking and Biking will present their Report of Community Recommendations to Promote Safe and Accessible Walking And Biking Travel in Fernandina Beach to the Fernandina Beach City Commission. The presentation of the Task Force Report of Community Recommendations in early July will make the information available to the City Commission early in the City’s FY 2023/2024 budget planning processes.

Possible Task Force Members

Tom Camera

Robin Lentz

Doug Roselle

Elaine Roberts

Mike Spino

Valerie Feinberg

Staff

Lorelei Jacobs, Grants Administrator

Jeremiah Glisson, Public Works Director

Kelly Gibson, Planning and Conservation Director

Catherine Vorassi, Parks and Recreation Director

Taylor Hartmann, Planner

Daphne Forehand, Planner

Original source can be found here.