By Kate Kimmel
Court-ordered mediation between Rayonier Performance Fibres LLC and the City of Fernandina Beach over the bioethanol plant lawsuit ended without a settlement after sessions held April 13 and continued May 20.
According to the latest update, the mediation concluded without resolution and an impasse was declared, meaning the parties were unable to reach an agreement.
On April 29, both parties filed a joint motion to keep the case in abeyance, or temporarily suspended, for an additional 45 days. Because the case remains in abeyance, the parties are expected to submit a new case management proposal to the court by June 28.
Following the submission of a new case management proposal, the abatements will be lifted, and litigation will resume.
“The City remains committed to addressing these matters through the judicial process,” the city said in a press release.
The city added that because the matter remains pending and mediation communications are confidential, officials could not comment further.
kkimmel@nassaunewsline.net
