A.G. Gancarski
An ordinance increasing the fine for unlicensed contractors from $250 to $1000 per count, which moved through the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee earlier on Monday, moved through the Transportation, Energy, and Utilities committee on Monday afternoon.
Additionally, $185K was approved by the same committee to be appropriated from FDOT monies for a Timucuan National Preserve bicycle trail.
Finally, an ordinance requiring, in the case of disaster, technical changes to ordinances related to emergency roadway clearance was a bigger talker than one might have thought.
Specifically, the section mandating that gated communities open their entrance gates during a state of emergency to facilitate Public Works action was surprisingly controversial. The opening of the gates allows public works vehicles to get into these areas, and is a precondition of FEMA reimbursement.
No penalty is attached to this legislation, though discussion suggested violators may be running afoul of municipal code.
The always voluble Councilman John Crescimbeni questioned the need for this legislation, as gates are raised for emergency vehicles. He was told, in response, that public works vehicles would come in a “convoy” form. Despite the distinction, Crescimbeni said “they’re going to raise the gate, without the mayor telling them to raise it up.”
“I think we’re over-legislating here.”
As the discussion proceeded, Crescimbeni continued to press the issue.
“I would offer an amendment that we strike the provision of raising the gate,” the councilman said, citing “common sense.”
The amendment passed, and then the bill did also.
