JACKSONVILLE
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING MINUTES
September 23, 2008
3:00 p.m.
1st Floor, City Hall
117 W. Duval Street
Attendance: Council
President Fussell, Council Members
Also: Steve Rohan, Peggy
Sidman, Shannon Eller, Cherry Shaw and Dylan Reingold – Office of General
Counsel; Kirk Sherman and Janice Billy – Council Auditor’s Office; Dana Farris and
Carol Owens – Legislative Services Division; Adam Hollingsworth and Sherry Hall
– Mayor’s Office; Lin White, Chris Pearson and Lesley Davidson – Dept. of
Public Works; Kelly Boree – Recreation and Community Development Department Wight
Gregor, Laura Stagner, James Richardson and Clayton Bailey – Housing and
Neighborhoods Department; Paul Crawford
– JEDC; John Crofts – Planning and Development Department; Dianne Smith, Debbie
Delgado, Sandra Lane, Angela Ryan, Celeste Hicks, Sarah Lane, Mina Hosseini, Meghan
Friel, Alison Miller, and Tiffany Clark – ECAs; Annette Hastings – Tourist
Development Council; Jeff Cements – City Council Research; Rachel Welsh and
Steve Cassada – Council Administrative Services; Tia Mitchell – Florida
Times-Union; Kevin Meerschart – WJCT; John Delaney, Paul Harden, T.R. Hainline
The meeting was called to
order at 3:05 p.m. by Council President Fussell.
Council Member Webb reviewed
the Rules Committee’s actions from its meeting, noting 2 requests for emergency
action on items 2008-751 and -752 (appointments to the Cultural Services Grant
Committee). These bills will be moved
immediately after the Consent Agenda approval.
Council Member W. Jones reviewed
the RCD Committee’s actions from its meeting.
Council Member Bishop
reported that all of the TEU Committee’s actions are on the Consent Agenda.
Council Member Yarborough
reviewed the PHS Committee’s actions from its meeting.
Assistant General Counsel
Shannon Eller reviewed the LUZ Committee’s actions from its meeting. In response to a question she briefly
outlined the conditions imposed on 2008-651, a rezoning on
Council Member Corrigan reviewed
the Finance Committee’s actions from its meeting. The Council President stated that the annual
budget will be taken up as listed as the last item on tonight’s agenda so as
not to detain the members of the public in attendance for the numerous land use
and zoning public hearings.
President Fussell noted that
three members are excused from tonight’s meeting so it will be imperative for
members to remain in their seats as much as possible to ensure a quorum. In response to a question about the
Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s budget the President stated that he has
scheduled a meeting next Monday with JAA Executive Director John Clark to
discuss several “big picture” issues. In
anticipation of that meeting he requests that no changes be made tonight in the
JAA budget as proposed by the Finance Committee; changes can be considered
after the Council and JAA have entered into substantive discussions about their
relationship and the JAA’s proposed list of priorities and projects.
The President also indicated
that the budget contains no mention of the proposed Jacksonville Journey
Foundation. As a result of lengthy
negotiations the Council leadership and Mayor have agreed on a new method of
oversight and accountability by the Council.
Council Member Holt suggested that a brief explanation of the overall
outlines of the budget and the Finance Committee’s changes would be helpful for
the audience in attendance, especially if done before the public hearing. Council Member Corrigan and Council Auditor
Kirk Sherman will make that presentation early in the meeting.
Chief Deputy General Counsel
Steve Rohan noted the request on page 11 to take up item 2008-843 (relocation
of polling places) as an emergency tonight in preparation for the November
general election. Robert Phillips of the
Supervisor of Elections’ Office will make a brief announcement during the
meeting encouraging citizens to take advantage of early voting options.
There being no further
business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:18 p.m.
Jeff Clements, Chief
Council Research Division
630-1405
Posted 9/23/08
5:20 p.m.