Live blogging City council: Jim Loves Bill, 2012-339

[TheCat]

It's a mostly full house but not for Jim love's bill. The equality bill has it's supporters and detractors here. FYI, red stickers on your shirt  means you support the bill. Blue stickers means you don't.

Opening:
Cummer receives accolades. I believe Council member Jones just said something like "we can thank them for how flowery Jacksonville is."

[TheCat]

Watch the council meeting online.

http://media.coj.net/COJCouncil

[TheCat]

It's getting intolerably difficult to sit through this meeting. Council is practically begging that no one speaks on 296. " we are not voting on 296...we are not voting on 296...."

Other than that, we're dealing with various zoning issues. 20 minutes of conversation about a development on San Pablo. Paul harden is the lobbiest for the development

[dvandygriff]

Government working at a snails pass. HRO 296 seems to be a bill everyone is running from. Very few want to have an official vote and the Mayor is still silent on the matter. :-(

[Tamara-B]

Zzzzz...at this point. So far, I've seen two male residents practically cat-fighting with one another about who is right and who is wrong. The 296 bill is not going to be discussed tonight, why?

[TheCat]

We were streaming along then, Denise Lee was like ”what is this bill I just voted on?" there was some confusion about this legislation which allows the council to provide guidance to the mayor for budgeting. Its a resolution which apparently tells the mayor whether the council agrees or disagrees with the mayors budget proposal.

[dvandygriff]

The council always has to take public comments. Therefore, speakers for and against HRO Bill 2012-296 are present and ready to speak during public comments section of the city council meeting. What is interesting is how the council can call upon individuals to ask questions about the bill. This has always led to some interesting one sided conversations against 296 from religious leaders speaking about law and they have no expertise in the field of law. I wonder when a city council member will ask what the persons qualifications are prior to asking the individual a question concerning 296?

[TheCat]

We are quite literally having a 20 minute conversation about a resolution that was voted on already. FYI, resolutions are non binding. They are opinions...kind of.

Another vote. It passed. They are resolved about 2012-301....Which says:

2012-301
RESO Providing for Tentative Annual Operating Budget, Preliminary Estimated Rolled-Back Millage Rate, Tentative Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Millage Rate for 2012 Tax Yr, & a Tentative Proposed Capital Budget. (McCain) (Req of Mayor)

[AshleyLauren]

While public comments are mandatory, and both sides will have a chance to speak on their behalf. Actual conversations/debates about the bill take place in the sub-committees each bill is assigned too. Now CC members can asks questions at the council meeting but most of the time they don't because it is public comment that generally is based on opinion not fact. That is also why at CC meetings it appears that they vote for or against things that they spoke about for 5 seconds and that is because the in depth conversations take place in sub committee meetings. In regards to 296, the sub committees that have discussed the matter were the Rules committee and the RCD/PHS committee. Once the sub-committees clear the bill it will go to a full vote. Rules meets Monday at 10am and RCD/PHS meets Tuesday at 2pm. These meetings will reconvene after the Council's holiday vacation July 16th and 17th.

[Tamara-B]

Councilwoman Lee has said "with all due respect" about seven or eight times now within 2 minutes.

Translation: Sorry, but I'm right and you're wrong

[TheCat]

Tonights agenda

http://cityclts.coj.net/coj/CurrentYear/Council/85-June-26-12-AGENDA.htm

We're currently debating a pool. A big pool. With diving boards. It apparently  requires a 150k feasibility study. The concept of this pool has been around since the 1990s. The study should find out three things 1. Will it attract people? 2. How much will it cost to build? 3. What is the maintenance cost?  I think someone in the gallery said I'll do the study for half that cost.

The pool seems to be a politically hot issue. Yup, Denise lee just said "this has become a campaign issue for lumb." Denise lee, though supportive of the pool does not think it needs any funding from city hall to get this developed. She mentioned a few organizations that are a part of this pool project and they apparently have tons of money. I'm still pretty confused which way Denise lee is voting. She adamant about something....I'm just Not sure what?

A speaker is outlining that it has taken 15 years to get this pool project started at first coast high school. He says, if iit stops now we'll probably have to wait another 25 years.

[AshleyLauren]

If anyone knows anything about First Coast High School they know that that kind of money could be used for something a lot better than a study about whether the community needs a public pool or not.

Can someone explain to me why a "study" is needed? I can answer half of those questions right now. Give me a minute let me make a few phone calls and I can get dollar signs for the build and maintenance. So how is it $150k. Same thing a few weeks ago. They wanted to give half a million dollars for a study that would help develop an after school program not fund the actual after school program. So, is there a bill the demands these studies? Or a precedence being followed because I don't understand.

[Tamara-B]

Is a pool going to make students study harder? Study at all?

[AshleyLauren]

Haha, Tamara. In the words of Stephen Joost, "an unequivocal no would suffice."

Speaking of Joost he is a little bossy tonight, ehh?

[Tamara-B]

If I recall, my high school had the swim team use the local aquatic center for any pool-related activities. I'd love too see a first coast student or recent grad speak on this matter.