OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

CHERYL L. BROWN                                                                                                                     117 WEST DUVAL STREET, SUITE 425

            DIRECTOR                                                                                                                                                                                                 4TH FLOOR, CITY HALL

   OFFICE (904) 630-1452                                                                                                                                                                                  JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  32202

     FAX (904) 630-2906                                                                                                                                                                                                               

  E-MAIL: CLBROWN@coj.net

 

SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON

2013-369 AND 2013-370 – FAST-TRACK INCENTIVE BILLS

MEETING MINUTES - AMENDED

June 10, 2013

4:00 p.m.

 

Location:  City Council Chamber, 1st floor, City Hall – St. James Building; 117 West Duval Street

    

In attendance:  Council Members John Crescimbeni (Chair), Lori Boyer, Bill Gulliford, Clay Yarborough

Excused: Council Members Johnny Gaffney, Stephen Joost, Greg Anderson

Also: Council Member Robin Lumb; Janice Billy and Heather Reber – Council Auditor’s office; Jeff Clements – Council Research Division; Paige Johnston – Office of General Counsel; Karen Bowling and Michelle Barth – Mayor’s Office; Carol Owens – Legislative Services Division; Joe Whitaker – Office of Economic Development; Ronnie Belton – Finance Department; Joe Wilhelm – Financial News and Daily Record

 

Meeting Convened: 4:04 p.m.

 

2013-369 (economic redevelopment and incentive agreement with Energy Intelligence Worldwide Corporation): Joe Whitaker of the Office of Economic Development gave an overview of the company and the proposed QTI incentive grant.  In response to a question from Council Member Boyer, Mr. Whitaker explained the QTI payout process and the clawback provisions for a company’s failure to produce and keep the number of promised jobs.  The City requires that the jobs be maintained for a minimum of two years but the state pays out the QTI incentive over 4 years, so any reduction of jobs during the four year period reduces the company’s benefit.

 

Assistant Council Auditor Janice Billy noted two Auditor’s Office recommended amendments on the information sheet attached to the agenda.

 

The bill was recommended for approval as amended by a vote of 4-0.

 

 

2013-370 (economic redevelopment and incentive agreement with Total Quality Logistics LLC): Joe Whitaker of the Office of Economic Development gave an overview of the company and the proposed QTI incentive grant.  In response to a question from Council Member Boyer, Mr. Whitaker explained the process by which the City tracks employee residence and stated that Enterprise Florida will not pay QTI incentives to companies for jobs merely relocated within the state, only for new hires.

The bill was recommended for approval by a vote of 4-0.

 

Council Member Boyer asked if CFO Ronnie Belton had provided the information requested by the committee at its meeting last week on a proper location for the deposit of debt service savings on the former countywide radio system.  Chairman Crescimbeni stated that Mr. Belton had informed him Friday afternoon of the account that had been selected.  Mr. Belton indicated that he had subsequently met with the Council Auditor who suggested a different account as of this morning.  Janice Billy confirmed that the Auditor’s Office and Finance Department have agreed on a proper account for the deposit of the debt service savings.

 

Meeting adjourned:  4:30 p.m.

 

 

Minutes:           Jeff Clements, Council Research Division

            6.11.13     Posted: 10:00 a.m.

 

Tape:               Special Finance Committee on 2013-369 and 2013-370, 6.10.13

                        Legislative Services Division