RESEARCH DIVISION
RECREATION & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
AGENDA MEETING
January 5, 2016
9:00
a.m.
City Council Conference Room A
117 W. Duval Street
Attendance: Council Members Doyle Carter (Chair), Sam Newby (Vice Chair), Katrina Brown, Reggie Brown, Garrett Dennis, Al Ferraro, Matt Schellenberg; Assistant General Counsel Paige Johnston; Assistant Council Auditor Kyle Billy; Jessica Baker, Administration; Kurt Wilson, Chief, Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department; Guy Parola, Downtown Investment Authority; Dayatra Coles, Housing & Community Development Department; Margretta Haywood, Regulatory Compliance Department; A.G. Gancarski, FloridaPolitics.com; Rebekah Hagan, Dan Macdonald, Executive Council Assistants; Crystal Shemwell, Legislative Assistant; John J. Jackson, Council Research Division.
In the absence (late arrival) of the Chair, the Committee’s Vice Chair, Council Member Sam Newby, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
Mr. Newby reviewed the marked agenda that the Council Auditor’s Office had prepared.
There were four (4) items ready for action, five (5) items being deferred and three (3) items that were being seconded and re-referred.
On Item #2, ORD-MC 2015-519, Amend Chapt 122 (Public Propty), Sec 122.461 (Donation for Residential Housing), Ord Code, to increase Value of Propty City may Donate from $25,000 to $50,000 & Provide Addnl Criteria for Entities Accepting said Donation….., Council Member Garrett Dennis explained that the ordinance is working its way through the NICE Committee and he expects that the Committee will be prepared to make recommendations by the time the RCDPHS Committee next meets. The Item is marked for deferral.
Though Item #5, ORD 2015-783, Approp $330,799 from Drainage System Rehab to Restore the Salaries for the Safety Officers in the Fire Rescue Dept., was marked for deferral, a series of questions raised resulted in a lengthy discussion. Initially, Council Member Al Ferraro inquired as to why the item was being deferred. Assistant Auditor Kyle Billy explained that the Finance Committee had deferred the item the previous day after Council Vice President Lori Boyer raised some concerns. Fire Chief Kurt Wilson fielded a number of questions. Council Member Reggie Brown questioned the chief on the $330,799 in the context of the Council’s budget deliberations.
Mr. Brown also questioned and commented on the role of the safety officers. Mr. Brown further commented that he felt that the Council was trying to micromanage the Fire & Rescue Department.
Chief Wilson explained what “red lining” entailed when several inquired what that language meant.
Assistant General Paige Johnston indicated that she would have someone from OGC at the Committee meeting to explain and clarify components of the proposed legislation,
Though Item #7, ORD 2015-801, Approp $400,000 in CDBG Funding & 200,000 in Historic Preservation Funding for Completion of Beaver Street Villas Proj being Developed by Clara White, Inc., was marked for deferral, Council Member Newby indicated that he has questions that needed to be addressed. He felt that the proposed legislation was time-sensitive and that the Council needs to act as soon as feasible. Kyle Billy explained that he expected to meet with Downtown Investment Authority staff and others the following day (Wednesday) to resolve issues of concern in the ordinance.
The Chair announced that Mike Weinstein, Finance Director, will be making a presentation at the Committee meeting on the Mayor’s proposals to address and resolve the pension fund issues.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:21 a.m.
John J. Jackson, Council Research Division (904) 630-1729
01.06.16
Posted: 4:00 P.M.