OFFICE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL
117 WEST DUVAL STREET, SUITE 425
4TH FLOOR, CITY HALL
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32202
904-630-1377
Neighborhoods,
Community Investments and Services Committee
Special Meeting
Minutes
December 5, 2016
Location:
City Council Chamber, 1st
floor, City Hall – St. James Building; 117 West Duval Street
In attendance:
Council Members Scott Wilson (Chair), Reggie Brown (Vice Chair), Anna Lopez
Brosche, Doyle Carter, Garrett Dennis, Bill Gulliford.
Also:
Kyle Billy – Council Auditor’s Office; Peggy Sidman – Office of General Counsel; Jeff Clements and
John J. Jackson – Council Research Division; Juliette Williams – Legislative
Services Division; Jessica Baker – Mayor’s Office
Meeting Convened:
10:25 a.m.
The first topic for the Special Meeting was the Jacksonville
Public Library. Library Director Barbara
Gubbin was joined by Luis Flores, Director, Public Buildings Division, Public
Works Department.
Ms. Gubbin began with statistics that attest to the library’s
significance and popularity to the citizens of Jacksonville, young and old,
student and non-student. Last year,
alone, she reported that the Jacksonville Public Library loaned 5.7 million
items.
She explained that there was a declining demand for physical
items (i.e. books) being borrowed and an increased demand for on-line
items. There was a decrease in the use
of the library’s computer access and an increase demand for Wi-Fi in the
libraries.
Ms. Gubbin reported that JPL was creating technology labs in
the downtown library anchor that provide visitors with hands-on
experiences. Previously, the library was
viewed as only a venue for the passive consumption of information.
She reported that the library is committed to upgrading
children’s rooms in the branch libraries to make the rooms more inviting and
attractive. There is less demand for
storytelling for children that amount to mere entertaining and an increased
demand for entertaining story times that build early literacy skills and
parenting skills.
Ms. Gubbin lauded the Duval County Public Schools and its
initiatives to infuse the library downtown with young students who are having
library cards and borrowing books for the first time at an early age
Ms. Gubbins explained how more and more people and
organizations are using the library as gathering places. There are demands for meeting rooms.
Both Ms. Gubbins and Mr. Flores explained and fielded
questions on the library and maintenance issues.
Ms. Gubbin acknowledged that some of the branch libraries
are exceedingly small in size and capacity for the growing neighborhoods where
they are located. Currently, a top
priority is to provide Oceanway with a library.
She explained that the Jacksonville Public Library is
constrained from making needed improvements because of the lack of
funding. Prioritizing was key. Examples of the library’s maintenance needs
include painting, carpet cleaning, landscaping, pressure washing and furniture
reupholstering.
Ms. Gubbin cited improvements that are being made at the
Beaches library, improvements that included roof replacement, upgrading
landscaping and other physical improvements.
Ms. Gubbins indicated that the State of Florida is poised to
allocate $200,000 less in the library grant assistance to the library in the coming
year. It is all about prioritizing
maintenance projects with the identification of funding sources.
Council President Lori Boyer had suggested that Mr. John
Zona make a presentation to the Committee on recommendations for the waterways
activation initiative. Formerly with the
Haskell Company, Mr. Zona meets regularly with fellow architects to discuss the
creation of a long-term for a vision for Jacksonville.
Mr. Zona’s presentation underscored connectivity and the
City’s embrace of the river in its design planning. He said that projects in and of themselves
are not a vision.
He compared San Antonio, Texas a city that created a
thriving river and riverfront activities in what was previously characterized
as a ditch, and Jacksonville that
already has an expansive river with lackluster riverfront activity.
Mr. Zona recommended the creation of gateways on both sides
of the river. Gateway activity plazas
were imperative. The gateway plazas
provide people gathering opportunities.
Mr. Zona will return to future Special Meetings to make
further recommendations.
There being no further business, the Special Meeting was
adjourned at 11:44 a.m.
John J. Jackson, Council Research Division (904) 630-1729
12.07.16
Posted: 4:00 p.m.