Here are some topics from the last Board of County Commissioners meeting. If you want to know more about what was discussed and decided, you can read the agendas and minutes as they get posted. You can watch the meeting in full on our Facebook page or website.
Updating our community on the Bonded Transportation Program and our capital projects
Commissioners were updated on the progress of the Bonded Transportation Program projects including the ongoing work on County Road 218, County Road 209 (Russell Road), Sandridge Road, and the new Cathedral Oak Parkway that connects to the First Coast Expressway. All projects are on track to be completed between spring 2025 and spring 2026. Capital project updates included work on the new 3,200-square-foot Animal Services Building, which is expected to break ground in the coming weeks. The new substance use disorder recovery center is in the design phase and staff are working to identify the best location for this facility. FDOT right-of-way work was completed last month for the new 30,000-square-foot economic and development services building. Drainage work on Halperns Way is underway to replace the failing cross-drain near Black Creek Park. The new playground at Foxmeadow Park is expected to be complete in about 1 month and new lights will soon be installed at the pickleball courts at Twin Lakes Park. To hear updates about these projects and more, you can listen to the discussion beginning at the 50:56-minute mark.
Ensuring rapid medical response throughout Clay County
Commissioners held a public hearing and voted to approve the Town of Orange Park’s application to renew the Class E and F Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) for Ambulance Service, as required by Florida Statute. This will permit the Orange Park Fire Department’s municipal transport unit and fire apparatus to continue to provide life support services in certain areas of the County and additionally, allow the Orange Park Fire Department to continue to house a Clay County rescue unit at station 19 in Orange Park at no cost to the County. Commissioners also voted to amend Clay County Ordinance 2018-23 Emergency Medical Transport Services to allow for air ambulance service throughout the County using predetermined landing zones for emergency or nonemergency interfacility transport services, interfacility neonatal critical care transport, and emergency or nonemergency organ/blood transport, including the transport of transplant teams. This will enhance the County’s ability to get urgent medical care for residents in the southern part of Clay County. You can learn more about these critical services by listening to the discussions beginning at the 1:19:07 time stamp.
Reappointments to the Clay County Board of Adjustments and Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida
Commissioners approved the reappointment of Keith Hadden to seat two of the Clay County Board of Adjustments. The BOA conducts hearings and determines variance requests to the terms of the code, appeals in connection with the enforcement of the code, and interpretations of the code regulations. Commissioners also voted to approve the reappointment of Andrea Crowder as the consumer representative to serve on the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, which approves or disapproves proposals for new or expanded hospitals, nursing homes, and primary medical services in Northeast Florida. You can listen to the discussion at the 1:59:16- minute mark.
Construction of the Northeast Florida Greenway Trail and paving of Live Oak Lane to start soon
Commissioners awarded RFB No. 24/25-008, Greenway Trail and Paving Project to Besch and Smith Civil Group Inc. in the amount of $2.4 million for the construction of the North Florida Greenway Trail running from Live Oak Lane to the entrance to Jennings State Forest and includes the paving of Live Oak Lane. This project scope includes erosion control, clearing and grubbing, excavation, base course, asphalt, and striping. Approval of the award will be effective after the 72-hour protest period has expired. Preliminary utility relocation work is anticipated to begin in a few weeks and all work is expected to be completed in 345 days. This project is partially funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.
