OHPA Hires former City Attorney Bach

The Ocean Highway and Port Authority Wednesday hired former Fernandina Beach City Attorney Tammi Bach and her law firm as its attorney.

Bach was among three candidates for the position to replace Port Attorney Patrick Krechowski, who resigned the position in January.

Bach was the city attorney for 18 years before she was terminated by the city commission on Jan. 7.

OHPA commissioners approved hiring Bach by a 5-0 vote.

Tammi Bach was among three candidates for the OHPA attorney position

One issue addressed by Bach during the hiring discussion were potential conflicts on OHPA issues stemming from Bach's tenure with Fernandina Beach.

OHPA on Monday reached a tentative settlement with the city over the construction of a fabric warehouse without obtaining necessary building permits and ignoring required city setback rules from adjoining properties. That issue had been handled by Bach at the city before she was fired.

Bach walked port commissioners on how pending legal matters involving the city such as OHPA's annual Payment In Lieu of Taxes to the city would be handled.

"If there were a conflict....if we had to assign litigation counsel, I certainly would negotiate with them (for their services)," Bach said.

The motion passed by OHPA named Bach and her law firm Trask Daigneault LLP of Clearwater as their legal representative. Bach is based in Fernandina Beach.

OHPA Commissioner Miriam Hill said in reviewing the candidates and the law firms, that the cost of services as well as Bach being in Fernandina Beach were a determining factor in making the decision.