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."
Watch the council meeting online.
http://media.coj.net/COJCouncil
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
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. :-(
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?
We were streaming along then, Denise Lee was like â€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.
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?
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)
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.
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
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.
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.
Is a pool going to make students study harder? Study at all?
Haha, Tamara. In the words of Stephen Joost, "an unequivocal no would suffice."
Speaking of Joost he is a little bossy tonight, ehh?
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.
Quote from: AshleyLauren on June 26, 2012, 06:45:03 PM
Haha, Tamara. In the words of Stephen Joost, "an unequivocal no would suffice."
Speaking of Joost he is a little bossy tonight, ehh?
I think that comment was directed at Mr. Berry, who has a tendency to ramble.
CrescimBeni vs. Holt. Correction, The pool was a campaign issue for Holt. He says the real costs for this pool is 12 to 18 million dollars. The study will prove that and help the budgeting process. Right now 4 mil is alotted for what is being called an aquatic center.
Councilsoman Lee: Now, I don't want to throw anybody under the bus, but...
Translation: I'm about to throw you suckers under the bus!
Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 26, 2012, 06:51:10 PM
Quote from: AshleyLauren on June 26, 2012, 06:45:03 PM
Haha, Tamara. In the words of Stephen Joost, "an unequivocal no would suffice."
Speaking of Joost he is a little bossy tonight, ehh?
I think that comment was directed at Mr. Berry, who has a tendency to ramble.
No, I know. I just thought it was comical he said it. Especially since if the man had said just answered a simple "No" perhaps the man would not still be at the stand and we would not still be talking about this pool.
Is that accurate?? Every high school in Jacksonville has a pool? I assume he is referring to public schools because I went to Trinity and we didn't, never have and I can probably guarantee they never will.
So is this about balance? All the other high schools have pools, so first coast needs one as well.
Reminds me of a young girl who wants a Barbie's dream house because Becky, Chrissy, and Donna have one.
Theproposed site is too small to support an aquatics center including parking.
THe location does not effectively leverage surrounding support facilities.
It is the wrong location.
There isn't funding for any such facility.
The city needs the 150,000 for other purposes.
Denise Lee, cracks up the Gallery. She says "Holt said he needs to get the monkey off of his back but he put this monkey on his back. The monkey was settled and he called it down off the tree." She continues "this is political" then she lathers him full of compliments.
It sounds like Denise Lee is for the pool. And Holt, says we need to assess the true cost. Redman says do we need a huge aquatic center? Can first coast high live with a regular pool? Why not take the 150k for the study and build a normal pool?
Yarborough amendment suggested they eliminate the 150k study. That amendment failed. they were about to vote on the original bill...then there was more talking.
Someone representing the school stands up to speak:
She says:
Cost to build: 4.8 million
Maintenence: 20k
Denise Lee on the mic. The queen of interesting tangents.
Redman, suggest an amendment that makes for a smaller pool. Lumb and Holt say " uh uh." the money for the pool is called CRA funding which means it must go toward economic development. He says "as much as I love you Redman but I can't support your bill. It's like a bait and switch."
Redman says "any pool will ring about some sort of economic development. He thinks the auditors have his back on his assessment.".
Everyone thank Gulliford for recommending the pool talk goes back to sub-committees! MOVING ON! Also, does anyone else think Gulliford is the cutest old man ever. Everyone should follow in his footsteps and wear bow ties from here on out!
A long pool debate ends with a no vote and a return to committee. Ironically, joost warns about the massive amount of rain and flooding happening. We all have swimming pools now.
I think the rain has gotten to the council members. There a fine line between mundane and torture and we are rapidly approaching torture.
Duval County schools were so poor in the 1960's they'd just drive us all to the Ortega River where we'd strip down and swim for the far shore... Those that made it were the winners, the ones that were eaten, weren't.
On that note, President Joost announced that, according to a phone call, everyone is urged to go home while it is still daytime. Someone in the audience exclaimed, "Yeah! 'Cause this is BS!"
About 2012-347
A company called novitas, a blue cross subsidiary, wants incentives for creating new jobs. CrescImbeni argues that novitas has a funny way of defining NEW JOBS. they are adding an amendment that prevents novits from transferring people around, calling that a new job and still getting economic incentives. Novitas says they have already added that language to the agreement. It sounds like though, it only relates to transferring Jacksonville jobs.
Jones says: we are talking about 250 jobs and we are putting ourselves at a disadvantage if we try to renegotiate every contract asking for incentives.
This may be a state created contract and process. If jax has issue with it they should take it up with the state.
Joost is strongly recommending that everyone leaves to get home before it gets dark. The meeting will continue, however. Ah ha, a weather conspiracy.
Everything up for vote and discussion is deferred till July 24.
And one more change ... everything delayed to July 2nd - if they can get a quorum
Apologies, I was referring to Ray Holt as Gaffeny. I fixed the errors.