Abel Harding's 2011 Plan For Downtown

[Noone]

Doe Anybody Care?  Hell NO!
And that was confirmed by attending the 6/26/13 great meeting of the LOST which was the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) subcommittee.

Pick and choose the winners and losers. Who wants to be a 501-C? I'm serious. Stick your hand out and get in line.

From the agenda in attendance. Gary Anderson (Chair); Lane Burnett; Ralph Hodges; Scott Shine; From the city in attendance Marilyn Allen, Legislative Assistant; John Jackson, Research Assistant; Paige Johnson, OGC.

Also there was Joe Wilhelm, Daily Record; Tera Meeks, Chief Waterfront Management; Jody McDaniel, Planning Dept. That is it.

On the Agenda
I. Call to Order & Introduction
II. Status of Past FIND Projects
III. Status of Jacksonville FIND Grant Application
IV. Review of existing Jacksonville Boating/Watercraft Access Master Plan & Scope
V. Update of Inventory of Existing Watercraft Accesses- Number & Condition
VI. Discussion of Proposed Waterfront Access Master Plan
VII. Old Business
VIII. New Business
IX. Adjourn

I arrived at III Status of Jacksonville FIND Grant Application and right from the beginning you are just shaking your head and feeling so sorry for the people of Jacksonville. This is our Ad Valorem property tax revenue and lets just remember that for months there have been HUGE no shows by key people during the lead up to this list at Jacksonville Waterways Commission meetings.

Scott Shine feel free to jump in here at any time. Scott was the hero and the reason will be the reevaluation of procurement that is Chapter 126 in the Ord. Code. Kind of like the recent No bid, No Public hearing legislation for the 20 new comfy chairs for Jacksonville city council members. Are the new comfy chairs in yet?

I want two of the old chairs for 2009-442 Corrupt Council Area Reef. This is positive.

So back to the great meeting of the LOST. And we are LOST.

As you can see there is no opportunity for Public Comment on the agenda so when I was recognized I informed the subcommittee immediately that I attended the 6/25/13 Jacksonville city council meeting and there was a Public Hearing on 2013-380 which is the FIND opportunity for a Boat Ramp Master Plan. This is POSITIVE.

The FIND subcommittee supported the moving forward of 2013-380 by a 4-0 vote. Great news for Jacksonville. The blurred Vision is clearing up. It still needs to go through committee and then voted on by council. Ben - JCCI JAX2025 where do we go to advocate for this?

So commenting on VI. from the agenda Discussion of proposed Waterfront Access Master Plan I shared with everyone about another Public Hearing 2013-384 and Authorizing a License Agreement with Sons of Confederate Veterans. I told the subcommittee when talking about (Waterfront Access) that the armory is next to Hogans Creek and this $1 a year license agreement needs to include a provision for Public Access to the creek. I also told them just look at RAM. You can only use the RAM dock when RAM is open. Not Good.

Reminded the subcommittee about the Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, Berkman Floating dock compromise misrepresented by OGC during the 2013 FIND grant application process. And let's not forget the recent rejection at the 5/3/13 Downtown Experience DIA subcommittee meeting when I asked Tony Allegretti (Chair) if anyone wanted to use the floating dock at Shipyards and it was a resounding NO! Paul Crawford also echoed this (positive?) response. This was asked right after pictures were shown of the recent 4/27/13 Downtown River City Challenge.

Everyone was talking about Palms Fish Camp. hey RICO guys you still around?

Also, I informed the subcommittee that there was also a Public Hearing 2013-408 on the USS Charles F. Adams

I've given up on asking you know who about you know what.

TU, Anybody, Tell the people of Jacksonville what are our FIND options.

It was also announced that Don Redman will now be the Chair of Waterways.

I call the question.  Kumbaya.

[Noone]

FBI RICO guys you still out there?
2013-373???
Council just passed legislation to do away with Ethics training.

[Noone]

^Should the long term plan include an amendment to 2013-384 an active piece of legislation that would allow 24/7 Public Access to Hogans Creek? I'd say "Yes." It  is in two committees and could be voted on by the full Jacksonville city council at the 9/24/13 meeting. The applicants were supportive of such an amendment at the Public Hearing. let's all Remember that the RAM dock is only open when RAM is open. Not good.

The immediate benefits. Public Parking. Put in a Bike Rack. Kayak Confederate Park. (We have launched here before) Join Paul Astleford the new CEO of VISIT JACKSONVILLE in not hindering TOURISM but PROMOTING TOURISM with an infill node of organic positive energy that translates into a connectivity of overflowing excitement of our Emerald Necklace (Chan Kreiger, DVI) that makes Downtown a Destination and not a pass through.

[Noone]

We are so LOST.
Downtown Experience Committee meeting of the DIA is 3 hours out. 4pm 1 st floor city hall and its open to the Public. Will there be any media there? The total crushing of the Public Trust. Has the new Waterway signage been reported anywhere? Have notified my councilman Don Redman who is also chair of Waterways.
Does anyone have a clue to the status of FIND projects?
This is pre Aundra Wallace( I feel so sorry for the man)

[Noone]

Governor Scott, Please help.
Does anyone have a clue as to the new Waterway signage Downtown?
Regional Partners pay attention to this.
If anyone posts a picture I'll treat you to Chopstick Charley's
Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting just 4 hours out. Don and Scott Dist. 4 please tell us all about the new signage.

[Noone]

JWCommission of Omission 1 hour out. Another great meeting of the LOST. 9 am council chambers.

[Noone]

The FIND REEF,                    The LOST REEF
The 5/15/13 meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting can only be described as blurred VISION.

Hey, FBI RICO Interns some good pointers here.

Going from the minutes of 4/10/13 JWC minutes in attendance: CM Jim Love (Chair), Lori Boyer (Vice Chair), CM John Crecimbeni was excused. Commissioners Gary Anderson, Lane Burnett, Ralph Hodges, Ray Pringle, Scott Shine, Stephen Swann, Penny Thompson; Commissioners Ed Fleming and John Godfrey were excused, State Representative Lake Ray was excused, Peggy Sidman, OGC; Dr. Quinton White, JU; Capt. Jim Suber, Waterways Coordinator/Dockmaster;Dave Roman, Mayor's office; Lisa Rinaman, SJRK; David Kaufman, Jaxport; Mike Hollingsworth, USACE; John Flowe, Betsey Deuerling and Tom Mallett , Environmental Quality Division; John Nooney, Recreational Fishing Alliance; Ron Littlepage, David Bauerlin, Florida Times Union; Joe Wilhelm, FNDR; Kevin Kuzel, ECA (Love); Legislative Assistant Marilyn Allen; John J. Jackson, Council Research Division.

The 5/15/13 JWC starts with a blistering Agenda with key No Shows
Jody McDaniel and No FIND update along with signature project Dist. 4 Don Redman and Scott Wilson Pottsberg Creek.
Kelley Boree - No show
Dave Roman - No show
Nobody from the media.
Tera Meeks did arrive later and appears to have an assistant.
Straight from the agenda.

I. Approval of JWC minutes.

II. 2013-265 Ord. Repealing Ord. 2011-239-E, re Heritage Rd& it's closure & abandonment; Auth. Grant of Easements with Riverfront Associates, LLC; Obligating owner to file a conservation Easement within 1 yr.

III. Presentation by the Offshore Jacksonville Fishing Club.             Commissioner Scott Shine/Commissioner Love

IV. Presentation by Environmental Quality Division.

V. St. Johns River Status Report.                                                   Dr. Quinton White, JU

     Water Quality & Manatee.                                                         Dr. Gerard Pinto, JU

VI.  St. Johns River Issue Update.                                                   Lisa Rinaman, SJRK

VII. Old Business
       New Business

VIII. Public Comments

So where do you want to start? This meeting was brutal.
II. 2013-265 Is anyone here representing the applicant? let's defer it.
     2013-289 Oak Harbor Boat Ramp. Let's defer it. Ah heck let just get these out of here. 2013-265- failed and 2013-289 passed.

III. Presentation by the Jacksonville Offshore Fishing Club. They donated a $1000 to 2009-442 the Artificial Reef Trust Fund. Talking with them before the meeting a lot of this money was raised with the El Cheapo Sheaphead tournament. And this was one of a few $1000 dollar donations that they have awarded. Great Stuff. Scott Shine, Please share more info on this.

The River City Challenge 4/27/13 just happened and how much was raised for the North Florida Land Trust Last Year and this year? That should be on the Waterways agenda.

IV. Environmental Quality on the agenda were sitting in the audience but chairman Love just blew right over them. Don't know why.  Vince Seibold.

V. Dr. Pinto reported after a Monday flight that there are 141 manatees in the area. That is so cool.

VI. Lisa reported that the Army Corps of Engineers on May 31st will be the release date of the dredge report. Then there will be a 60 day window of Public comment.

VII. Old Business and New Business is where you want to take the old city council chairs and lets remember there was No Public hearing, No bid, and voted on as an emergency and dump them south of the Fuller Warren and call it the INSIDER REEF.

So at the end of the meeting and the 4 Offshore people who just donated a $1000 bucks to 2009-442 have left the building. So up to the podium come the 4 people with the CCA and they say we will donate $5000 and there wasn't a check or photo op but they insisted and got the naming rights to two of the now 4 in the river reefs south of the Fuller Warren Bridge.

So let's recap that. Initially there were 5 reefs and we increased it to 6 and a secret meeting and now we are down to 4 and just say that you are going to do it and instead of being happy with one reef you are locking up two reefs. And the one reef will be called the CCA reef

Coastal Conservation Association Reef.

Scott Shine had a little bit of heartburn and said what about the Hooters Reef. I think it's wrong and it just screams back room stuff. I shared this with other concerns just hours later at the full Board meeting of the DIA. How about the CBRE Reef, Daily Record Reef, Everbank Reef, Wyndam Reef,  Is this an emergency like the comfy chairs? NO!

It was passed with a Waterways Resolution that is weaker than a city council resolution that would make everyone aware of this slip it in fast one.

On a more positive note the Boat Ramp Master Plan also discussed during the old and new business part of the agenda resulted in Chairman Love leading the way in sponsoring legislation that is being drafted and will be introduced to council. This is the way it should happen. Super props to Shine, Boyer and fellow Waterway Commission members.

During Public Comment I reminded everyone about the Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel Berkman Floating dock compromise misrepresented by OGC during the 2013 FIND grant Application process.

I welcome any correction to the above interpretation of this meeting.

A new Authority
embrace It
Or
it will Embrace Us.

Team RICO now forming. Tides look great for an Urban Core tactical paddle to Promote, Access, Celebrate, Protect, our trophy asset and demonstrate a unique retail opportunity on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

Should FIND meetings be separate and have their own identity? YES!

Will be kayaking Downtown today. Special shout out to
Governor Scott- Please help.
Charlie C, Chopstick C- Please help.
Adam Hollingsworth- let's do this. It's a resume builder.
Past, Present, and Future Hooter girls- Seriously
Any news media outside of Duval county.
Ben Warner
Aundra Wallace
Dan Davis
Jeannie Miller
Jerry Mallot
Paul Astleford
Any Find Commissioners
Any Jacksonville Waterway Commissioners
Any Jacksonville city council members
Any candidates running in the state of Florida
Any Civic Council members
Any RICO interns
Tera Meeks
Kelley Boree
Dave Roman
DIA Board members
Any IBM'ers if you are still in the country.

Let's restore the Public Trust. Please.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Noone]

Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting just 8 days out. Does anyone know when the next Super Duper secret FIND meeting is? Gary Anderson is the Chair of the subcommittee. Jody McDaniel is out. New guy is in. Was announced at the last Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting. We are so LOST. Total Backroom deals. Our property tax money.

Frank Denton is a hero.
Paul Astleford is a hero.
Planning a RICO paddle.

Who's next?

[Noone]

The Waterways Commission meeting is tomorrow (Wed, Jan 9) at 9:30am at Council Chambers.  Here are my comments based on yesterday's meeting and the proposals discussed.  If you have comments, please keep in mind that the decisionmakers probably won't see your responses in metrojacksonville.com before tomorrow morning.  Jim Love, John Crescimbeni and Lori Boyer are the Council Members on the Commission.

To:   Members of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission

From:   Tom Ingram

cc:   Tera Meeks, Jodi McDaniel, Kelly Boree

Date:   January 8, 2013

Re:   FIND Subcommittee Meeting on January 7, Recommendations

Members of the FIND Subcommittee of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission met yesterday to evaluate the Administration’s proposed list of projects for funding using the Florida Inland Navigation District’s matching grant program.  According to staff, there is approximately $1.1 Million available at a 50/50 match for projects not involving land acquisition (so up to $2.2 Million total available for such programs assuming that the City funded the maximum amount).  If you have already read the minutes that John Jackson prepared and are short on time, please see my comments beginning on page 2.  For those of you who have not seen the minutes, here is how the subcommittee voted on the project list:

Location    On Motion to Approve   Project Summary (my summary not Admin.)       
Exchange Island   4-0   Design and Permit small boat dock and shoreline area, hiking trail, pavilions with tables and grills

Sisters Creek ICW Dock Redesign   4-0   Design and Permit (incl. survey) for relocating pilings and docks on ICW side

Ortega River Channel Markers   4-0   Install (construct) channel markers on the Ortega River to limit permanent anchoring of boats in navigable channel

County Dock Road Park and Boat Ramp   3-1   Design and Permit removal of rip rap and old boat ramp; pour new launch area for hand-launch boats; remove old pilings; remove parking obstructions

Northbank Riverwalk Bridge (at Geffen Park)   0-4    Design and permit replacement of wooden pedestrian bridge on Northbank Riverwalk

Geffen Park Kayak Launch   2-2   Design and permit kayak launch area

Northshore Park Kayak Launch   3-1   Design and permit kayak launch area

Lighting at 4 Boat Ramps   4-0   Install lighting at 4 boat ramps

Reed Island    0-4   Design and permit boat dock at Reed Island, a peninsula that lacks legal access by land located across from Blount Island

Harborview Dredging   2-2   Design and permit dredging between boat ramp and Ribault River channel

Blue Cypress Boardwalk Extension   4-0   Design extension of Blue Cypress Boardwalk from existing terminus to Arlington Lions Club boat ramp

San Marco Lake Kayak Launch   0-4   Design and permit kayak access and parking plan on Lake Marco.

Dock at Charles Reese Memorial Park (Ribault River)   2-2   Design and permit public dock

Half Moon Island Land Acquisition   2-2   Acquire land having an existing boat ramp at (with a 25% FIND match) on Half Moon Island (note that the City currently owns over 200 acres of Half Moon Island)

Floating Dock at Shipyards   0-4   Install floating dock near pier at the Shipyards, suggested by John Nooney at the meeting

Boating Master Plan   4-0   Seek one-time grant from FIND to revise a boating master plan for Duval County

In addition to these, I suggested three projects: (1) modify the existing permits and agreement with Fidelity to allow for week-long use of the $400,000 floating dock beneath the Fuller Warren Bridge, currently usable only during the Riverside Arts Market; (2) Add a boat ramp or kayak launch (whichever is most expedient and feasible in near term) to the over 16 acres of property that the City purchased adjacent to the Nassau River on Half Moon Island for a park in 1999, and (3) Design and permit a pier and floating dock at Stockton Park in Ortega, along the lines of that which exists at County Dock Road in Mandarin but with a platform for launching kayaks, standup paddleboards and windsurfers.   The consensus of the committee and staff, and I agree, is not to add these to the FIND grant process but to evaluate them further in the coming year.

Comments

Fund the Bridge Replacement on Northbank Riverwalk.  The Northbank Riverwalk extension, between the Acosta and Fuller Warren Bridges, needs to remain a continuous walkway.  Part of this walkway is bridge that was designed as a temporary structure to get this stretch of riverwalk opened before the Super Bowl.  The Administration believes that this bridge needs to be replaced, and has proposed using matching FIND funds to help pay for it.  If the Riverwalk can’t be walked from one end to the other, this affects far more constituents than any of the other projects being discussed.  Please provide necessary funds to repair this bridge or reroute the riverwalk so that no bridge is necessary.

Fund the Geffen Kayak Launch Design.  This is the best site for kayak launching that exists downtown.  Kayaks launch in currents all the time, in places like the Duval County’s own Intracoastal Waterway and the creeks throughout the Timucuan Preserve in Duval and Nassau Counties.  Less-experienced kayakers may find other access points more suitable, like County Dock Road or Stinson Park, but that is not reason to exclude all kayak access in this stretch of the river.

Design and Permitting Cost Estimates.  In general, the subcommittee expressed concern that the estimated maximum design and permitting costs were excessively high.  The staff explained that these are estimates and said that it planned to have additional information available at the full Waterways Commission meeting.   I know that the Commission could spend the entire meeting tomorrow and then some discussing whether the currently estimated maximum design and permitting costs are too high.  I think this is a serious issue, but I would hope that concerns over the Administration’s ability to accurately estimate design and permitting costs does not cause water access projects to be killed entirely.  Assuming this is a concern, please let the projects move forward to begin the grant process, and work with the Administration to refine the estimated maximum costs of these projects. 

Do Not Proceed with Boating Master Plan.  The Assistant Executive Director of FIND explained at the last Waterways Commission meeting that if you do seek funding for a master plan, they would want subsequent funding applications to be consistent with it.  With that caveat, the plan will need to be extremely broad to keep the Administration and Council’s options open, and will effectively render the plan meaningless.  We will also use a lot of time and effort to discuss, debate and refine an abstract plan that does not actually result in increased public access to our waterways.  The process will invite conflict between various user groups who may perceive this to be a zero-sum game.  Going beyond much more than generalities requires a finer level of assessment about the potential sites and available funding -- information that varies on a year to year basis.   Situations change too fast for a detailed master plan to be worthwhile for much more than two or three years.  For example, standup paddleboarding barely existed five years ago, and recent bans on keeping bottom fish caught offshore together with high fuel prices are affecting where and how people fish.  Let us focus our efforts on actually maintaining and improving water access and not generalized plans as to how we might go about it in the future.

Support the other recommendations of the Subcommittee.

Thank you for your consideration.

Almost to the day. One year later. Does anyone have a clue as to this years Super Duper Secret Find list? Our property tax money. Anyone?

[Noone]

Just received the noticed meeting for the Super Duper secret FIND meeting and it will be next Tues. 1/14/14 at 9:30 am Conf. Rm A 4th floor city hall.

So who has seen the list from any submissions from this years 2014 FIND grant application process? 14 Jacksonville city council districts and who asked for a project in their district? Our property tax money. Anyone?

What is the next million dollar trick pony and we are not talking about a retention pond?

Next day Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting and then DIA Board meeting later that day.

[Noone]

I would also add that participating at a Public meeting is another fantastic opportunity. The Public Trust has just been crushed in this community when it comes to doing the Publics business in the Sunshine. Have to give it to the new guys- Vitti, Astleford, Wallace and the ever constant changing of the guard.

But back to the $750,000 lollipop (taxpayer) money that will be handed out to the suckers that got in line first. There is all kinds of money (financing)

For example, I have been going to FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) our ad valorem property tax money for 5 years and still don't have a project for the citizens of Jacksonville and I can tell you all about the 2013 FIND grant application process under the direction of then Chair of Waterways and Dist. 14 Jacksonville city council member Jim Love. Super props for his time on Waterways.

In 6 days is the Super Duper Secret 2014 FIND subcommittee meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission for the 2014 FIND grant application process and it's not even close to the 2013 process. Sure it's a noticed meeting now but wait until you realize the million dollar trick pony that this will be. Visit Jacksonville! Backroom deals!

At a recent DIA meeting Board member Mike Saylor pointed out to everyone that in our new highly restricted DIA zone we now control over 3 miles of Riverfront. WOW! Where are the opportunities for Public Access and Economic Opportunity? the $750,000 is one potential pot of money. FIND is another.

I plan on attending the Super Duper Secret FIND meeting for the 2014 grant application process for a project that could happen Downtown. it's at 9:30 am 4th floor city hall Conf. Room A

I plan on attending the next DIA Board meeting and share an expanded suggestion that was shared at the end of the last almost 4 hour meeting that had fantastic responses, dialogue, and additional suggestions from DIA Board members.

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us

RAM dock only opened when RAM is open. Not good.
Shipyards III
Southbank Riverwalk project- Spoke with Scott Wilson and he was going to ask Don Redman if it can go before Waterways. They have no clue as to if there is a Public Access and Economic opportunity component to the new floating dock. Not good.
Add your own.
CRA/DIA in the USA being drafted right now.
Vision 2025
Jacksonville Civic Council
Ben- JCCI, we need to kayak Downtown before 2025

DIA?

Downtown
Is
ALL

[Noone]

WOW!!!! Just received another Sunshine notice on a Jacksonville Waterway Commission issue. First one that posts what it is I'll treat you to Chopstick Charley's and we'll use Uber.

Took someone there last week and they were very impressed.

[Noone]

Total Backroom deals. Our property tax money. Just pull the tape. 2014-22. 4 days out from the biggest Super Duper Secret FIND meeting. Will any media show up? The crushing of the Public Trust.

[Noone]

Super Duper FIND subcommittee meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission one day out and then the legislative introduction of a resolution 2014-22 hours later at the full meeting of the Jacksonville city council and then the next day a full meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission and then hours later the full meeting of the DIA (Downtown Investment Authority)

Please anyone tell me where the POSITIVE Waterfront Public Access points are in this new 3 mile Riverfront zone that was highlighted by DIA Board member Mike Saylor at the 12/18/13 full meeting of the DIA board?

[mtraininjax]

Why doesn't Abel Harding run for office in 2015? Put your plan into action on a bigger stage!