2010-856- Transient Vendors in Jacksonville

[Noone]

Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting in 4 hours at city hall. Will be asking for a resolution from the commission that could be taken back to the city council that could be attached to 2010-856 that would exempt the Waterways of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River. This is an active piece of legislation.

Also will be expressing a continuing concern about our Promised 680' Promised Downtown Public Pier. AKA Bay St. Pier Park. It can happen now. The Public Trust on this issue has been crushed in this community. So how has the Civic council looked at this past promise?

Be concerned and keep score.

[Noone]

At the February 9, 2011 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting I had the pleasure of meeting Tera Meeks our new Division Chief of Waterfront Management & Programming for the City of Jacksonville. And I asked her if she would like to go kayaking on Hogans Creek and the sportier McCoys Creek under the TU. She said "yes." I'm one happy papoose.

Prior to meeting Miss Meeks it was a light meeting. Crescimbeni, Bishop and Redman were there from the city council. At one point Crescimbeni asked commission member Scott Shine about an update on the possibility of opening up alligator hunting in Duval county and he said that it could move forward. It would require legislation and for a council member to move the request forward. Crescimbeni in response to Shine alluded to a possible councilmember that has Sportsman in the name of his business that might want to do something. To be honest Don said something but I don't know if it was a yes or no.

During Public Comment I ran through my Christmas list that I would hope that even ones gets filled before Dec. The Christmas list is an inside joke that Crescimbeni made at a previous Waterways Commission meeting. I like Crescimbeni. Instead of FIX IT NOW lets HAVE IT NOW.

1. 2 years later and still seeking a sponsor for a pocket pier (floating dock) at a waterfront public access street end that I could take back to the Commissioners of FIND.

2. Still seeking legislation that would keep Bay St. Pier Park separate from the other 44 acres that was Shipyards/Landmar. What is the position of the Civic Council on this one? Everyone has had weak knees on this issue.

3. Does a concession agreement constitute a permanent business in the context of 2010-856 transient vendor ban as this community moves forward and utilizes our Preservation Parks?

After the meeting I had the opportunity to share some of these concerns with Tera. Kelley Boree who is usually at the meetings wasn't there. Neither was Jody McDaniel with a FIND update. Hope Jody is OK.

We are 39 days out from electing a new Mayor and city council. I welcomed Tera to Jacksonville but she is brand new and the learning curve is HUGE. My gut is telling me that we will be getting less access and economic opportunity not more unless legislation is introduced and passed. The OGC is aware of the issue.

Dan O'Byrne our new Director for Visit Jacksonville.

It will pain me if I will have to tell people Don't Visit Jacksonville. I want to be proud, confident, excited, motivated, supportive, charged, exuberant, in promoting our city and its Waterways.

I want to say VISIT JACKSONVILLE! VISIT OUR DOWNTOWN!

The highlight of the meeting was meeting Tera Meeks. She wasn't on the agenda. She happened to be there.

A Waterways meeting. Our Waterways. Our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

[Noone]

Did anyone attend the Board meeting of the St. Johns River Alliance in Putnam county today?

[Noone]

To the special sub committee that was created by Denise Lee and the three chairs Bishop, Redman, and Crescimbeni and as a citizen volunteer appointed by Chairwoman Lee I can assure you that I am working hard and the information that is forthcoming expands outside the boundries of Duval county especially when it relates to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

Will the Promised 680' Bay St. Pier Park be exempt as it relates to Waterway avtivities especially outside the control of an Independant Authority or will it be another vesion of SHIPYARDS III?

[Noone]

This needs to be a topic of discussion at the Political hobnob in less than 4 hours at the Hyatt in our vibrant Downtown. Everybody look out the window and ask how will access to our St. Johns River occur and for who?

[Noone]

This is a monstrous piece of legislation that will have major ramifications as it relates to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River. Will councilwoman Lee, Redman, Crescimbeni, Bishop, offer an amendment at the next Rules committee meeting that would exempt the Waterways of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

The administration through Lisa Rinaman representing Duval county is working with the St. Johns River Alliance and the other counties of the 310 miles of our river to promote access and economic opportunity and not to restrict it.

Be concerned.

Who's next to paddle Hogans Creek within our Downtown Jacksonville Overlay Zoning District (2003-627). Call me 904-434-0839. We'll make it happen.

Who running in the May elections especially the At-Large races and want their campaign yard sign hanging on Robert's tent that 2010-856 will crush his dream for economic opportunity. Call him 904-485-0273. This is an active piece of legislation. 

[Noone]

Today at Rules 2010-856 was deferred. The Public Trust continues to be absolutely crushed in this community.

9 days Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting. 9am council chambers open to the PUBLIC.

To the Honorable Don Redman, (Gaffney - Where is Springfield?)

                                              Please introduce legislation that will keep the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier AKA Bay St. Pier Park, AKA  Jacksonville's Front Porch.....Southern style separate from the other 40 plus acres that was Shipyards/Landmar.

Thank you.

To the Honorable Don Redman, (Gaffney- Where is Springfield?)

                                              In 9 days at the Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting please address the  concern about a one mile ban of a transient vendor ban for outfitters who want to participate in a possible, yet to be approved 310 mile state designation for a blueway paddling trail of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River. The St. Johns River Alliance representing 12 other counties and the 34 Board members are concerned about this restrictive legislation. They are meeting the next day and Lisa Rinamon will be in a position to deliver a message to the SJRA.

Thank you.

Palms Creek Fish Camp.

The state of Florida is watching.

[Noone]

City council meeting tonight.
Will anything happen?

[Noone]

Jacksonville Waterway Commission meeting in 2 1/2 hours. Huge meeting. A direction of future River Issues.

[Noone]

Yesterday at Waterways it was a pleasure to see Doug Skiles and huge pats on the back for his comments at the end of the meeting during Public Comment.

It was a good meeting and continues to reinforce to me why the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier needs to be open and used now and an amendment needs to be attached to 2010-856 that would exempt the Waterways of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

First up on the agenda was our St. Johns Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon and it was St. Johns River Issues. Before the meeting I asked him if he could mention the pier as an issue. It didn't happen.

He had 3 issues for the commission
1. Nutrient standards and the varied cost.
2. Georgia Pacific and the pipeline
3. Algae blooms-healthy river and how they will continue to work with agencies.

Next on the agenda was the real eye opener for me.

Moncrief Creek Dredging. Mike Swain president of the North Shore Neighborhood Association made a request for assistance for dredging in his neighborhood for waterfront residents. Over the years and seeing people go through the motions of the legislative process you can't help but sit in the audience and when the chair calls his name to come up to the podium and share your concern that you already know what the answer will be. Prior to the meeting I met Mike and I asked him how did you get on the agenda. He said that he had contacted John Crescimbeni and he put him on it. I like Crescimbeni.

Councilman Redman, Put me on the agenda. Better yet introduce legislation 2010-604 (Pier),2010-856.Please. Do something.

It was obvious that Mike had done his homework and contacted FIND and spoke with Mike Messiano the Duval county representative. A public access component wasn't close by so that limitted the opportunity for participation from FIND.

After his presentation one by one commission members shared with Mr. Swain that basically we can't do anything for you. Kristina Nelson with OGC mentioned 2010-725 and maybe you want to do a special assessment.

I've seen this repeated in previous meetings over the years. It reinforces that when you look at access issues how the most well intended and obvious requests can be crushed. So will this be the end for the North Shore Neighborhood Association? Pocket Parks-Pocket Piers?

During Public Comment I took a 3 issue approach like Neil
1. 2010-675 the USS Adams and a taxpayer bailout amendment. Tourism-A Good Idea
2. St. Johns River Alliance -They promote access and Preservation Parks in Duval county. Riverkeeper- Water quality.
3. 2010-856- Exempt the Waterways from a one mile ban. Shipyards III the pier needs to be separate. Use the River-Tourism a Good Idea.

Doug filled out a speaker card and shared his recent experiences Downtown on the River. Right before Doug there was another speaker that was also awesome and spoke about kayaking and access.

After the meeting I spoke with Don and Scott and all I can say is that I'm just in shock especially with the issue on the pier.

Palms Creek Fish Camp.

The state of Florida is watching.
 

[fieldafm]

I like Crescimbeni.

I second that.

After the meeting I spoke with Don and Scott

Did you try and schedule a meeting as we were promised?

[Noone]

Right now its a broken promise on the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier and the blame right now goes directly on the shoulder with a sling Redman sorry to hear that he had another cycling accident. He told me that at Waterways  and Gaffney and the entire population of Dist.7. 

The Public Trust just totally crushed in this community. 

[Noone]

Yesterday at Waterways it was a pleasure to see Doug Skiles and huge pats on the back for his comments at the end of the meeting during Public Comment.

It was a good meeting and continues to reinforce to me why the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier needs to be open and used now and an amendment needs to be attached to 2010-856 that would exempt the Waterways of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

First up on the agenda was our St. Johns Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon and it was St. Johns River Issues. Before the meeting I asked him if he could mention the pier as an issue. It didn't happen.

He had 3 issues for the commission
1. Nutrient standards and the varied cost.
2. Georgia Pacific and the pipeline
3. Algae blooms-healthy river and how they will continue to work with agencies.

Next on the agenda was the real eye opener for me.

Moncrief Creek Dredging. Mike Swain president of the North Shore Neighborhood Association made a request for assistance for dredging in his neighborhood for waterfront residents. Over the years and seeing people go through the motions of the legislative process you can't help but sit in the audience and when the chair calls his name to come up to the podium and share your concern that you already know what the answer will be. Prior to the meeting I met Mike and I asked him how did you get on the agenda. He said that he had contacted John Crescimbeni and he put him on it. I like Crescimbeni.

Councilman Redman, Put me on the agenda. Better yet introduce legislation 2010-604 (Pier),2010-856.Please. Do something.

It was obvious that Mike had done his homework and contacted FIND and spoke with Mike Messiano the Duval county representative. A public access component wasn't close by so that limitted the opportunity for participation from FIND.

After his presentation one by one commission members shared with Mr. Swain that basically we can't do anything for you. Kristina Nelson with OGC mentioned 2010-725 and maybe you want to do a special assessment.

I've seen this repeated in previous meetings over the years. It reinforces that when you look at access issues how the most well intended and obvious requests can be crushed. So will this be the end for the North Shore Neighborhood Association? Pocket Parks-Pocket Piers?

During Public Comment I took a 3 issue approach like Neil
1. 2010-675 the USS Adams and a taxpayer bailout amendment. Tourism-A Good Idea
2. St. Johns River Alliance -They promote access and Preservation Parks in Duval county. Riverkeeper- Water quality.
3. 2010-856- Exempt the Waterways from a one mile ban. Shipyards III the pier needs to be separate. Use the River-Tourism a Good Idea.

Doug filled out a speaker card and shared his recent experiences Downtown on the River. Right before Doug there was another speaker that was also awesome and spoke about kayaking and access.

After the meeting I spoke with Don and Scott and all I can say is that I'm just in shock especially with the issue on the pier.

Palms Creek Fish Camp.

The state of Florida is watching.
 

Doug, I've got tremendous respect for you. And if its kayaking, I know I need to bring my A game. Can you share with everyone any thoughts on your first Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting?

[Noone]

16 days ago was the Board meeting of the St. Johns River Alliance representing 12 counties and the entire 310 miles of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River. In 11 days will be the next meeting of our Jacksonville Waterways Commission.

The April meeting of the St. Johns River Alliance was sparsley attended. When I arrived Ebeneezer with the City of Jacksonville was giving the River Accord report to those in attendence. It was a fast presentation and before he left I was able to ask him about a status report about 2010-856 and how the transient vendor will impact outfitters especially in Duval county if the ban is extended to one mile in light of a potential state designation of a Blueway Paddling Trail. His response back was alarming and reinforces to me that if the people of Jacksonville think for one second we are getting more access and economic opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River we will be getting less.

Councilman Redman, Do something.
Councilman Gaffney, Do something.

The state of Florida is watching.

I'm doing something. I'm voting for Hogan.

[ChriswUfGator]

16 days ago was the Board meeting of the St. Johns River Alliance representing 12 counties and the entire 310 miles of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River. In 11 days will be the next meeting of our Jacksonville Waterways Commission.

The April meeting of the St. Johns River Alliance was sparsley attended. When I arrived Ebeneezer with the City of Jacksonville was giving the River Accord report to those in attendence. It was a fast presentation and before he left I was able to ask him about a status report about 2010-856 and how the transient vendor will impact outfitters especially in Duval county if the ban is extended to one mile in light of a potential state designation of a Blueway Paddling Trail. His response back was alarming and reinforces to me that if the people of Jacksonville think for one second we are getting more access and economic opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River we will be getting less.

Councilman Redman, Do something.
Councilman Gaffney, Do something.

The state of Florida is watching.

I'm doing something. I'm voting for Hogan.

Redman and Gaffney don't even know the boundaries of their own districts. And Hogan makes both of them look like progressive geniuses. I'm sorry, but you're voting against yourself. I can't in good conscience continue to pay any attention to your posts on waterway access etc. anymore, when you're voting for the guy whose entire platform is eliminating public funding for the same programs you're on here supporting.

You don't get to have your cake and eat it too. You don't get to go all teabagger while still expecting public funding for things you personally enjoy, when the two are diametrically opposed to one another.