We, the undersigned residents, business patrons, and permit holders of Amelia Island, Nassau County, and the City of Fernandina Beach, demand that the City honor the terms of its annual parking permits and stop issuing unfair $50 citations caused by the current plate‑scan enforcement method.

What happened

When we purchased annual residential and non‑resident permits, we were told permit holders receive four hours of no‑cost parking per day across multiple short visits downtown. Instead, enforcement begins a single four‑hour session only when a walking enforcement officer scans a license plate with a handheld License Plate Reader—often long after the vehicle has been parked. That one timer can expire while the vehicle is still legally parked under our reasonable expectations, resulting in surprise fines. Locally, this is called a “bait‑and‑switch.”

What we demand

A. Restore the promised benefit: implement multi‑session resets so permit holders receive four hours of no‑cost parking per day across multiple parking sessions (parking time counts from when the vehicle is parked).  

OR  

B. If A cannot be implemented immediately, deploy a real‑time SMS notification system that alerts the permit holder and up to four designated family members per registered vehicle with: start time, a 20‑minute “ending soon” alert, end time, and immediate citation details if a citation is issued.

Immediate temporary relief

Within 10 days after this petition is formally presented at a City Commission meeting, grant all current permit holders unlimited no‑cost parking until the chosen fix is fully implemented and each permit holder has confirmed up to four additional phone numbers for SMS notifications.

Additional demands

- Rescind citations issued under the current single‑scan interpretation or provide an expedited appeals process that presumes in favor of the permit holder.  

- Publish a clear timeline and monthly progress updates at City Commission meetings until resolved.  

- Demonstrate the notification system or multi‑session logic publicly before enforcement resumes.

Why this matters

Permit holders paid for a clearly stated benefit. The current enforcement method is unfair, causes financial harm, erodes trust, and burdens residents and city staff with appeals. Reasonable technical fixes exist that protect enforcement goals while honoring permits.

Next steps if the City does not act

We will escalate to State officials, e.g., file complaints with Florida consumer protection agencies, publicize affected citation data, organize affected residents to speak at Commission meetings, assist with coordinated appeals, and pursue further remedies.

How can you help

- Sign this petition.  

- Share citation details in the comments (date, time, citation number).  

- Attend the next City Commission meeting and speak. 6:00 PM, July 21, 2026, City Hall, 204 Ash St., Fernandina Beach, Florida