JACKSONVILLE
RESEARCH DIVISION
RULES SPECIAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 16, 2016
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
Attendance: Council Members Garrett Dennis (Chair), John
Crescimbeni (Vice Chair), Greg Anderson, Danny Becton, Tommy Hazouri, Jim Love,
Scott Wilson; Council President Lori Boyer was in attendance; Deputy General
Counsel Peggy Sidman, Heather Reber, Council Auditor’s Office, Allison Korman
Shelton, Administration, Jeff Clements, John J. Jackson, Council Research
Division, Legislative Assistant Juliette Williams.
The Chair convened the
meeting at 1:34 P.M.
The Chair announced that the
Special Committee would have reviews of the Value Adjustment Board, the Tourist Development Council and the Jacksonville Waterways
Commission.
Council Member John Crescimbeni,
as its Chairman, gave the presentation on the Value Adjustment Board
(VAB). He explained that VAB was created
and governed by the provisions of the Florida Statutes. (Sec.
194.015 F.S.). Each of Florida’s
counties has a Value Adjustment Board.
The Value Adjustment Board is a neutral arbiter between the property
owner and the Property Appraiser. It
hears appeals regarding property assessments.
Council Member Crescimbeni
described the composition of the 5-member board (2 City Council Members, 1
citizen member who must be a homestead property owner, 1 citizen member who
must be a business property owner, and 1 School Board Member). The City Council and School Board make joint
appointments. He described the staff, (introducing
those staff members present at the meeting, VAB Attorney William Jeter and VAB
Aide, Heather Pelegrin.
Mr. Crescimbeni explained the
process of filing for homestead exemptions and the important dates that had to
be observed. He explained that the
property owner could always raise concerns with the Property Appraiser prior to
filing an appeal. The property owner
turned to the Value Adjustment Board if a homestead exemption is denied.
Mr. Crescimbeni reviewed five
years (2011-2015) of the Value Adjustment Boards actions on the number of
exemptions requested and granted, the number of assessments requested and
reduced, withdrawn or settled.
The Council President, as
Chair, described the composition and function of the Tourist Development
Council. Annette Hastings, TDC’s
Executive Director, was present. The
Tourist Development Council is a creation of Florida Statutes. It awards financial grants for sports
complexes, conventions and tourist attractions.
It is a nine-body council. It
levies a charge on tourists who stay in the City’s hotels. Three members of the TDC are from the tourist
accommodation facilities (hotels).
Ms. Boyer explained TDC’s
budget and how its funds are awarded.
She explained the significance of marketing and promoting the convention
center and sales activity.
Ms. Boyer explained her
concept of how City Council Members of the TDC should be appointed. She was disposed to having a past Council
president and the current Vice President as members. Council Member Scott Wilson suggested that an
ordinance should be introduced that redefines Council membership on the TDC. Deputy General Counsel Sidman will draft the
legislation.
Council President Boyer
described the Jacksonville Waterways Commission as a body created by Florida
Statutes, as well.
The appointments to the
Waterways Commission are made by the Council President.
The Commission’s functions
include overseeing a Manatee Protection Plan, vetting and recommending
waterways projects for funding from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND), and monitoring the Basin Management Action
Plan to comply with a (federal) Environmental Protection Administration consent
order to decrease chemicals and contaminants in our waterways.
A somewhat lengthy discussion
ensued on the status of “Ex-Officio” members of the Commission.
Though the two ex-officio
members of the Commission are non-voting, Ms. Boyer characterized their actual
role as staff. (The two ex-officio Commission members are from the
Environmental Protection Board and the Planning & Development Department,
respectively).
There being no further
business, the Rules Special Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
John J. Jackson, Council
Research Division (904) 630-1729
08.19.16
Posted: 4:00 p.m..