Money for downtown diverted in order to pave more roads

[Noone]

Money diverted for Downtown. My first thought that pops into my head money diverted to pay the pension of a convicted child molester by the PFPF Board. Someone tell me what's positive about that.

Money diverted to Downtown. The 7/24/13 DIA Board meeting and the surprise power play by OED on the DIA at the end of the meeting for the Board approval and passage of a document titled "Authorization to Negotiate and Engage on Various Downtown Projects" just prior to the new guy Aundra Wallace starting Aug. 19 diverts power to pave more roads of corruption. Someone tell me what's positive about that.

Downtown is Redman's district as well as Jones, Gaffney, but we just had redistricting. We now have a new DIA zone. The breakup of consolidation with a task force. A world wide search for a new director of the Civic Council.

Vitti-A real new guy. Standing ovation for minutes at JCCI Vision 2025

The Public Trust destroyed in Jacksonville. The FBI in Jacksonville a positive benefit for the region and the state of Florida.

[vicupstate]

It also wouldn't surprise me if the finance committee did this to send the mayor a message that his pet projects are not immune if he isn't going to do his job when it comes to the budget.

My thought as well.

If I were on the DIA board, I would really start to question if my time was being wasted just for political window-dressing.

[HisBuffPVB]

oh this is perfect, we hired a new DIA director from bankrupt Detroit, then just as he is coming, we insure that the agency he is to administer is bankrupt also! Just as the developers of St. Johns Town Center did, which is to pay for their on infrastructure and land development, why not let those seeking to come downtown do the same?  Why set up special rules for downtown if the council is not going to give them any money. No wonder the guy from Charleston, where they play under a different set of rules and their downtown is thriving, withdrew from consideration. We seem to be always, one step forward, and two backward.

[Sunbeam]

Why is it ok for the mayor to spend all available revenue increasing every agencies budget then BORROW money from the Banking Fund to pay for road maintenance?

Why is ok for the mayor to delete definitions in the Budget Ordinance so he can use capital money, putting us deeper in debt, for road maintenance when the Ordinance specifically states Capital money CANNOT be used for regular maintenance?

Why is it Ok for the mayor to spend all available revenue and have nothing left over for Pay Go?

Why is it ok for the mayor to use all available revenue set money aside in Emergency funds YET BORROW money from the Banking Fund to road maintenance?

WHY IS IT OK FOR THE MAYOR TO INCREASE THE BANKING FUND CAP AND USE ALL AVAILABLE MONEY IN THE BANKING FUND PUTTING US DEEPER IN DEBT??? THEN SAY HE PRESENTED A BALANCED BUDGET!

This $9 million was from refinancing the Banking Fund which by law should have gone to paying down the debt of the Banking Fund.

I know for a fact the Office of Economic Dev. was designing use of this money for their own functions and not that of the purpose of the DIA ... and said "they wanted to dedicate this money BEFORE city council got their hands on it"

This $9 million is OUR money NOT the DIA's and certainly not the OED's, OURS and I rather the city use it for Pay Go projects then borrow more money that has to be paid back with interest.

The DIA will get money when they have a plan...its a shame the Mayor took over 9 months to create legislation to hire a CEO and further shame it took an additional 5 months for the DIA to make a choice.

The way I understand it Aundrey Wallace has not yet signed a contract

[Garden guy]

Are our council member really able to be paid by a company like nefba? That idea alone should start a stampeed on the council chambers...if it doesnt ...we get what we deserve...

[CityLife]

So we have a well paid Downtown Czar with no kingdom.  I wonder if the politicians actually expect him to do anything or if his appointment was simply a nod of sorts to appease those pushing for urban revitalization.

Regardless, this native is shaking his head in continued disappointment.

The DIA is creating a CRA/TIF so the director should have some $ to work with down the road....but the problem with hiring Wallace, is that I don't think he has much experience creating or managing a CRA, if any at all.

[xplanner]

In answer to the question, "where does the DIA go from here?", we will continue on a methodical path to bring into this century a 32-year old Downtown Plan that previous Councils were not interested in updating. We will continue to promote and market new ideas and vet projects for their ability to leverage public seed money and the goals of redevelopment. We will bring projects to Council for funding scrutiny and approval.

We will also be talking with the 15 members of Council who didn't vote in favor of the transfer and we will welcome how ever many hundreds of Downtown supporters who wish to join us.

Personally, if I remove my DIA hat, I can accept the use of that money in support of libraries staying open. However, the smart redevelopment strategy would be to upgrade the Main Library on Hemming Plaza into a world-class multi-platform resource and keep it open 24-7, while we cull the underutilized resource-draining branches that need to be closed and sold as surplus property. And while we're at that, let's get our new, forward-thinking JTA Chief together with Aundra Wallace, to figure out a way to give everyone in Jax a ride to that 24-7 Downtown library.

Yeah, I know. Too pie-the-sky. Can't help it though. It's in my DNA.

[urbaknight]

I said from the beginning that this money would go to the suburbs in the end. I will never again trust the city when they talk about improving Downtown, not that I really have over the past decade. My mind is made up, I HATE HATE HATE some or these council members! At first it was just politically, but now it's personal. They cut the fund that would've allowed me to get around town easier, they give me substandard sidewalks to walk on, they allow bad drivers to park on said sidewalks, they allow bad drivers to run over pedestrians and cyclists. I can go on and on but why bother, why the fuck bother!

Its time for some kind of political coup!

[mtraininjax]

What did you expect in this town?  The Mayor won't submit a realistic budget and you have a large group of very vocal people against taxes in any shape, form, or fashion.  They mayor is too busy worrying about re-election instead of what is best for the city even thought it is unpopular.

Where are all the "I'M WITH ALVIN" fans? 

[mtraininjax]

Living in a city that hasn't been taken over by the Hogan Tea Party Fanatics.

Secretly, it would appear Alvin is a closet Tea Party teetotaler, TEA does stand for Taxed Enough Already....must really grind on the Democrats who voted for him that he would rather not raise taxes for all that ails our great city.  Run as a Democrat, govern as a Republican. Can't wait for the elections!

[mtraininjax]

Thats kind of a dumb summation.  In case you havent noticed, the past forty years and been about tax and spendlicans and Me Too acrats.

The only thing dumb here is to talk about what has happened the last 40 years? That's ancient Ef'n history. Yet, every politician says what the "people" want to hear, then gets lost in office with their own BS agenda to keep them in office.

Still waiting for the list of accomplishments as compared to what "I'm With Alvin" ran on. If you want to defend him, defend his record and what he has accomplished.

[jcjohnpaint]

MTRain what the hell are you talking about.  You believe what you want about Dem vs Rep.  I would rather vote for what I think would be a better politician than a bad politician, regardless of the party.  Yes Alvin Brown has let me down a bit, but I still would vote for him any day over Hogan because I always vote.  I am a Democrat that would vote for a Republican any day if such a politician happens to be a better choice.  As for the Tea Party... think what you want about no government control.  Maybe you know something that I don't know about a magic trick where they can pull revenue out of their ass.  Clark is using his (government control) as much as he can and his motives are greedy and self serving.  I see such behavior happen in all parties.  If the city government (regardless of party) makes the wrong moves for 30 years and still continues to do the same thing, then shame of them.  My vote counts and I don't forget.  If it just so happens that a Repub could take this pathetic council's spot and do something different, then they got my vote. 

[mtraininjax]

My vote counts and I don't forget.

Good, I am glad you won't forget. I'll make sure you never forget the shortcomings of your selection. His record speaks for itself.

[mtraininjax]

There will be another, and then we will have to do the same thing again.

This is true, we can agree on this. Looking forward to it!

[Cheshire Cat]

I would like to see Lori Boyer on the ballot for Mayor.  I have told her as much.   What impresses me most about her is the research she does on anything and everything that comes to her for a vote.  I may not agree with all of her positions all of the time but I honestly believe that whatever choice she makes is one that is well thought and not driven by politics or fear.