Live blogging DIA

[Noone]

New legislation 2013-373 just had a Public Hearing on 6/25/13. Will be in R,F,RCD is this similar to 2010-856 the transient vendor ban? Is city leased property exempt? Is the DIA zone exempt? Why is this being pushed now?

The legislation amends chapter 250 Misc. Bus. Regs to add Sec. 250.124 for a Penalty to a Property owner who allows a person onto his or her Property to vend without proper permit.

Can someone's property be ultimately seized?

Mr. Wallace, we need to kayak Downtown before 2025.

[Noone]

One day out. Noticed DIA meeting. 10 am first floor city hall. Topic-Downtown

Governor Scott- We are so LOST.

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace us.

Anyone going?

[Noone]

5 hours out. noticed meeting. Anyone going?
Will Aundra Wallace follow in the steps of Don Shea and John Culbreath?
I feel sorry for Wallace already.

Conditions are improving. Anyone interested in Kayaking, fishing, swimming?

I am Downtown and why you aren't

[CityLife]

The DIA is only allocated $200,000 in Mayor Brown's proposed budget. Basically just enough to pay Wallace's salary.

The Downtown Investment Authority could be tackling revitalization without any money to fund projects or incentive packages, under Mayor Alvin Brown's current budget.

The DIA's budget for fiscal 2013-14 is $200,000, to pay for the salary and benefits of incoming CEO Aundra Wallace, mayoral spokesman David DeCamp said Tuesday.

Brown presented his budget to city council on Monday morning.

"That's it at this point," DeCamp said, pointing out that the current budget is based on the assumption that the city council will not approve pension reform.

The $9 million Brown allotted for Downtown, gleaned from refinancing the city's bond debt, is still appropriated for Downtown, DeCamp said.

City councilman Robin Lumb has already called for the council to "to go back and revisit the money we set aside for the DIA," reports the Florida-Times Union.

DIA Chairman Oliver Barakat, a senior vice president with CBRE Group Inc., said not funding the authority would be "a huge step backward in our community's efforts to revitalize Downtown."

The DIA's budget is not separated from the Office of Economic Development's. The total OED budget shown is $3.9 million, a 4 percent cut from the previous year.

When it was created, the DIA was to have a budget of $2 million, a far cry from the $29 million the Jacksonville Civic Council originally called for in 2011

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2013/07/16/no-money-for-downtown-investment.html

[thelakelander]

It would suck if the DIA isn't adequately funded (what's the point of having them if you don't fund them?). However, there's success that can still be had without having millions to play with.  We can start with modifying policy, better utilizing existing assets, coordinating with other agencies, etc. and figuring out new creative funding strategies and resources that could easily be at our disposal.

[Noone]

The noticed DIA meeting 7/16/13 1st floor of city hall had just 5 people for the entire meeting. Paul Crawford was sitting outside before the start and never sat in. From my perspective these noticed meetings by Oliver Barakat with fellow DIA Board members is to get feedback in how the group will be moving forward. Props to chairman Barakat for doing this. This particular meeting had Tony Allegretti who is also the chair of the DIA Downtown Experience subcommittee and that is why I chose this one to be a part of.

Mr. Barakat wants to develop Benchmarks. And may even hold at some time a Benchmark workshop.

Another item was an Incentive policy and the last one was done by JEDC in 2006 that applied to the whole county. Refine the focus. Residential, history.

Who wants to be a 501-C? I'm serious. They will be handing out money. Maybe not throwing it out the windows but stick your hand out.

Mr. Barakat touched on a few more items but what I want to add to his list which he described as "Catalytic city owned assets."
And that would be the Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, Berkman floating dock compromise misrepresented by OGC during the 2013 FIND grant application process. Which was then highlighted by a follow up by Jacksonville Waterways Commission member and city council member Lori Boyer with an OGC opinion on Catherine street next to Shipyards.

Chairman Barakat didn't have to take Public Comment but did allow me to share some comments. Thank you for that opportunity.
I spoke about the Celebrity plunge in the St. Johns River and mentioned Dave Roman with the administration and Tony with the DIA and how the RAM dock is only open when RAM is open.

Mentioned that the commissioners of FIND we're meeting in Nassau county and that I planned on attending and give them an update. After the meeting I walked with Tony Allegretti and shared some more concerns about the floating dock at Berkman, the RAM dock and I'm following up with his directions to me.

Also mentioned an active piece of legislation 2013-384 and another one year (License ,Lease) agreement. It is outside of the DIA zone so he can't do anything. Councilman Redman, Scott Wilson, is 384 an emergency? Defer the legislation and send it to Waterways. This is next to Hogans Creek.

Anyone want to make a donation to 2009-442?

A new Authority
Embrace it
Or
It will embrace us

[Noone]

DIA Board meeting less than 12 hours out. Anyone going? Packed agenda. An RFP for a parking garage lease. Parking rate adjustments. 5pm 1st floor city hall. presentations and legislation. 2013-408, 2013-297, 2012-657, 2012-732, 2013-0226 along with other announcements before the new guy from Detroit Aundra Wallace takes control.

[vicupstate]

The DIA is only allocated $200,000 in Mayor Brown's proposed budget. Basically just enough to pay Wallace's salary.

The Downtown Investment Authority could be tackling revitalization without any money to fund projects or incentive packages, under Mayor Alvin Brown's current budget.

The DIA's budget for fiscal 2013-14 is $200,000, to pay for the salary and benefits of incoming CEO Aundra Wallace, mayoral spokesman David DeCamp said Tuesday.

Brown presented his budget to city council on Monday morning.

"That's it at this point," DeCamp said, pointing out that the current budget is based on the assumption that the city council will not approve pension reform.

The $9 million Brown allotted for Downtown, gleaned from refinancing the city's bond debt, is still appropriated for Downtown, DeCamp said.

City councilman Robin Lumb has already called for the council to "to go back and revisit the money we set aside for the DIA," reports the Florida-Times Union.

DIA Chairman Oliver Barakat, a senior vice president with CBRE Group Inc., said not funding the authority would be "a huge step backward in our community's efforts to revitalize Downtown."

The DIA's budget is not separated from the Office of Economic Development's. The total OED budget shown is $3.9 million, a 4 percent cut from the previous year.

When it was created, the DIA was to have a budget of $2 million, a far cry from the $29 million the Jacksonville Civic Council originally called for in 2011

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2013/07/16/no-money-for-downtown-investment.html

From $29mm (admittedly not realistic, but still) to $2 mm to $200,000.   From a policy standpoint, there is much that can be done, but beyond that, what is Mr. Wallace to do with no staff and no money?  If a cheerleader is needed, DVI already fills that role. 

[tufsu1]

one more reason Council basically ignored the Mayor's wishes and last night approved a tentative 15% (that's the max. allowed) property tax increase

[Noone]

Just an hour out. Anyone going?

[Noone]

What a meeting! I swear I'm going to bring in my own timer when it comes to Public comment.

Stick your hand out and get on the list. That was the highlight of the meeting.

I did share with the Board that I attended the meeting of the commissioners of FIND in Fernandina on 7/19/13 and made them all aware of the Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, 26' Berkman floating dock compromise misrepresented by OGC to Waterways during the 2013 FIND grant application process. Don't kid yourself this is some super duper back room criminal stuff. Who gets the FBI RICO award for the Waterways. This is our ad valorem property taxes!

Right now I don't blame DIA. They are now fully aware of the issue and this is before the new guy Aundra Wallace arrives and hits the ground running Aug. 19

More later. There is $5,300,000 in the Historic Preservation Trust Fund
Anyone want to make a donation to 2009-442 The Artificial Reef Trust Fund?

A new Authority
Embrace It
or
It will Embrace us

This was councilman Love along with his assistant Kevin Kuzel's idea and what an absolutely brilliant compromise. And then Super props to Councilwoman Boyer a couple of months later with another OGC opinion.

[CityLife]

The Downtown Investment Authority has authorized the city to enter negotiations on six Downtown Jacksonville projects — a move that one board member decried as stripping the DIA of its independence.

Ted Carter, director of the Office of Economic Development, and Paul Crawford, deputy director, sought authorization from the DIA to enter into "comprehensive review and negotiation" on the Laura Street Trio, the Sax Seafood site in LaVilla, the Shipyards, the Bostwick Building, the Old Main Library and a storefront beautification program.

"The important thing here is the frame for council that there are specific projects," Carter said, referencing some city council members' requests for a plan for the $9 million Mayor Alvin Brown pegged for Downtown.

DIA vice chairman Jim Bailey said authorizing the OED to negotiate on the board's behalf sent a "terrible message."

"Some of these developers can't wait too much longer," Barakat said. "A lot of the deals have momentum."

The two projects furthest along are the trio and Sax site, Crawford said.

A mixed-use development that would emphasize residential development, with ground floor retail and job creation has been proposed for the Laura Street Trio and Barnett Bank Building, according to the proposal the OED presented to the DIA.

The proposal was to be presented April 17, at a private event on the eve of One Spark, but developer Steve Atkins canceled that announcement and has remained silent about his plans.

A Milwaukee group is negotiating on the Sax Seafood site, Carter told the DIA, but did not elaborate on the proposal.

The Business Journal filed public records requests Wednesday evening for both proposals, which city spokeswoman Aleizha Batson said would be fulfilled Thursday morning.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2013/07/jacksonville-to-enter-negotiations-on.html?page=all

[Noone]

It was a brief meeting. I counted maybe 16 people.

Paul Crawford and Jason Gabriel were busy with all kinds of legislative options.

The guy who should have been at the meeting wasn't at the meeting but should be at the meeting today but the legislation discussed at the meeting was introduced at the Jacksonville city council meeting last night. The meeting today if the guy who didn't make the meeting for the last meeting is in fact at today's meeting and the Board even had one concern for the fast tracked meeting and wanted to offer an amendment for a future meeting will now have to make a special effort at the Committee meetings to address the concerns if the guy even shows up at today's meeting. According to the agenda the guy who everyone was waiting to hear from is not a guaranty for the meeting. So the meeting today may move forward from never even hearing from the guy who never even made one meeting.

The new guy Ted Carter. Did the DIA request that he appear before the DIA Board before city council confirmation? Just curious and asking anyone for clarification.

[Noone]

The 7/24/13 DIA Board meeting had me saying to myself after the meeting as I'm driving over a bridge and gazing below at our St. Johns River an American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone a new branding and marketing slogan.

DIA- Downtown Is Adrift

Ron Barton, Don Shea, John Culbreath, What do they have in common? There gone. Mr. Aundra Wallace is just 23 days out before initially starting as the CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority. So what does the DIA Board do?

DIA- Detroit is Adrift

Congratulations to board member Jim Bailey that had the courage to vote no on this last minute power play by OED to circumvent the true spirit of the Independence that is being sought by the DIA. The Jacksonville city council should reject the list.

Let's start with the key no shows. From the Board Tony Allegretti, Robert Clements, Supporting staff David DeCamp, Public Information Officer, DIA Council liaison, Lori Boyer, Jax city council member Dist. 5

The meeting was hours and lots of information and anyone feel free to jump in here and set me straight if I've got any of this wrong. But you talk about stick your hand out and get in line. WOW!

Will post more later. Have to go. In the meantime anyone want to consider donating a buck to 2009-442?

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace us.

[Noone]

21 days out from the start of the new CEO guy Aundra Wallace (I feel sorry for him already) and just wanted to continue with observations from the 7/24/13 DIA Board meeting that had the OED get a vote from the DIA to shoot the entire potential wad of taxpayer dollars immediately. Is this an emergency? Are the 20 new no bid voted on as an emergency without Public comment Jacksonville city council chairs now in chambers?

Palms Fish Camp- A million bucks and they never even opened up the door.
Shipyards III

Active legislation
2013-373-Regulatory Compliance Coordinator
2013-377-PS4
2013-384-Hogans Creek
2013-408-USS Adams

When I arrived there was discussion on the minutes. Chairman Barakat was looking for more detail in his minutes with individual members that he met with. I attended the one with Board member Tony Allegretti. Which I believe was 7/16/13 10 am

But let's get back to the most important document of the meeting and that was at the very end of the meeting. Just remember that there aren't any handouts on the table for the PUBLIC. This guarded handout was given by Paul Crawford to the board. Mike Langton who was in the house went up to Michelle and asked for a copy (5 pages). Others followed then Paul is just handing the stack to her then all of a sudden Shazam it's back to a publicly informed meeting.

The Authorization document was edited and modified by Board member Mike Saylor who took the lead and immediately cut out the first 3 paragraphs. I welcome any corrections or additions because I didn't catch all the changes. Probably because most people there didn't have a chance to read it.

So Mr. Bailey is right in that OED with this Authorization to negotiate and engage does neuter the DIA before the new guy gets here. (I feel sorry for him already) So OED can take the $9,000,000 and $5,300,000 and combine the two funding sources to ensure the completion of one or more of these projects.

It's too bad that other MJ members and posters weren't there to witness this stuff. Just crushing. Scott Wilson you were there right next to me at the one Downtown Experience subcommittee meeting and with Don Redman now the chair of Waterways I hope that we can immediately work with Governor Scott on the Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, 26' Berkman dock compromise misrepresented by OGC during the 2013 FIND grant application process. It is in the DIA zone and Mr. Wallace this could be an immediate project that we can all work on immediately.

This was a long meeting and again I welcome any correction to these observations and all you have to do is pull the tape. But this power play by OED (JEDC) on the new DIA have the people of Jacksonville going YEAH!!!!

Help me. With this one and if I'm wrong with my observation then please correct me. Mike Langton at a Downtown Experience subcommittee meeting who was not on the agenda was recognized and with a serious look asked for $25,000 for 20 businesses for help.

Fast forward to the 7/24/13 DIA Board meeting and he is all smiles hi fives closes and did the $25,000 request just go to $50,000? Again just an observation. But is that accurate?

The Bostwick guys were there and they will be building a restaurant and looking to employ about a hundred people. They weren't on the taxpayer handout list. And in fact Board member Mike Saylor asked them "aren't you prepared to move forward on this project on your own?" "That's what's been reported." Didn't fully understand the response back but lets just say they are on the official handout list. That language was amended in the Authorization to Negotiate and Engage on various Downtown Projects document.

Tides are looking good. Anyone want to kayak, fish, swim in our highly restricted DIA zone?

I am Downtown and why you aren't.