Live blogging DIA

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Now on to budget issues...

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Paul Crawford (who is the acting leader of both the Office of Economic Development and DIA) mentions that operating capital will come from tax increment financing of the DRA.  Some revenue streams could also include things such as the Historic Preservation Trust Fund dollars.

On to CEO talk...

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Paul Perez nominates Don Shea as Chair of the CEO search process.  Motion carried and has unanimous approval from the Board.

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Shea mentions that City Council has already charged him with a similar process a year ago.  Melody Bishop wants to ensure that the Board will have input on the search criteria  Shea mentions he is still under the obligation of Council to come up with the search criteria so this will be simply a continuation of that process.

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Perez: we dont need to waste any time.  Wants to name a vice chair.  Nominates Oliver Barakat.  He has a 'passion for the city).  Motion carried and unanimous decision.

Perez:  Nominates Jim Bailey as Secretary.  Motions carries.  Another unanimous decision.

Is proud of these 'two actions accomplished today'

'You can hear the heartbeat in the room b/c they are so passionate'

Public Comments coming up...

[thelakelander]

Chairman Harris wants to concentrate on structure. Melody wants to discuss this strategy and suggest an additional meeting before Nov. 14th.

[thelakelander]

Next meeting: 3pm on October 30th.

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Bailey wants to have another meeting before Nov 14th to talk about CEO search.

Perez doesn't like it.  Bishop agrees with Bailey.  Allegretti agrees.

Perez changes tone.  Tuesday the 30th will be the next meeting.  this accomodates several who will be attending the Chamber's Cincinatti trip.  Shea will not have the search criteria ready by then.

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Oliver wants staff to inform Board about options to structurally stabilize the Bostwick Building before next meeting.  Wants to know what authority DIA has on this issue.  Clearly community values this building and wants to know what all DIA can do. 

Bishop also wants Staff to inform Board of anything that will go before Council so that DIA can weigh in on the issue if necessary.

[thelakelander]

Psss... Parador garage, Mrs. Bishop.

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John Nooney up first with public comments. 

Lists off about two dozen bills that were filed b/w now and what sounded like 2007.  Wants the DIA board to consider the Shipyards site and the promised public pier on that site.

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Victor Cora up now.

Feels the heartbeat downtown.  He wants board to consider a Java Fest 2014, celebrating coffee from around the world.
Jax brings in 75000 tons of coffee.  Wants to have an International Coffee Musueam in Jax.

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Edy Welch up now. 

She lives downtown.  Been working with an 11 month problem, SHADCO Zone 1 has high concentration of homeless downtown.  "it's a turnoff.  Perception is part of problem.  Sheriff cannot arrest itself out of the problem.  We should redefine Hemming Plaza.  We want a core that is ameniable for all persons"

[dougskiles]

There are 2 CRAs within the DIA boundary.  The Southside CRA puts out about $2 million per year.  The CRA for the north side of the river is negatively cash flowing.  In other words, assessed tax value is lower than what it was when the CRA was established.  With potential passage of Amendment 4, it will take even longer for the north side CRA to generate revenue.

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A Mr Marvin up now.  Former City engineer.

Are you contemplating having a visionary action plan? 
How are you going to treat public input? 
Downtown transportation is ripe with problems.  Jax was center of rail traffic for many years.  Need to create viaducts to bring rail downtown.  Number one issue in his mind.