A.G. Gancarski
A crowded agenda greeted the seven stalwart members of the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee on Monday, including economic development incentive deals. Some highlights:
- An economic development deal with Fidelity Global Brokerage group was approved. The city throws in $360,000 and the state, $1.44 million; 300 jobs would be created. Another one, “Project Revere,” creating 250 jobs, was approved, with the city throwing in $250,000 and the state, $1.25 million. Both moved without any opposition.
- A bill addressing “prohibited outdoor storage” occasioned spirited discussion, with Finance Vice Chairwoman Anna Brosche wanting to amend the bill, which led Finance Chairman Bill Gulliford to note that this bill is “pure sausage,” and that he’s just waiting for it to “blow up.” Lori Boyer signaled her intention to vote against it, noting that a “refrigerator on a deck” would be considered an “unattended” appliance, and that wood outside would also violate the bill. John Crescimbeni, in saying he couldn’t support the measure, brought the discussion back to companies requiring people to back into their driveways, and “it’s in their blood now.” The bill failed, 6-0.
- A bill to include as eligible for membership in the General Employees Retirement Fund employees of the Jax PFPF Board of Trustees occasioned a discussion of where the pension deal is. Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa discussed a potentially negotiated settlement regarding John Keane‘s retirement plan. The “pillars of the legal community,” including Hank Coxe, have “asked for a little bit more time” to get documents together, and the PFPF side has a deadline of Nov. 20. The bill was deferred.
- The council pay raise bill, punted back to Finance this past Tuesday, was deferred. The Crescimbeni amendment to raise pay past the 2 percent uptick was not part of the re-referral.
- A community redevelopment plan for “Old Arlington,” a “community in transition” with blight issues, according to district Councilwoman Joyce Morgan, was discussed. Crescimbeni noted that Arlington in 1965, when he moved there, was a “happening place” with all the amenities one needed back in the day. He hoped that the community redevelopment initiative would give a boost to Arlington similar to what has happened in the Brooklyn area of Riverside. It was approved without objection.
- The amphitheater deal, in committee, was subbed and re-referred.
- The PFPF subpoenaed information was presented, at the end of the meeting, in a white cardboard box. The Finance Committee will get to delve into the idiosyncratic presentation of the information, including commission recapture information on investments, some of which dates back to 1987. The documentation will be reviewed by the council auditor’s office, and a public notice meeting looms. Larry Schmitt, who administers the PFPF, noted that it’s still working toward bringing in Lynn Wenguer to be the next executive director. A decision is expected from the board Friday, regarding whether she is brought aboard or the search is renewed.
