City Council Rejects $$ For Northbank Riverwalk Kayak Launch

[JFman00]

Buried in this article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-05-21/story/mayor-alvin-browns-position-jacksonville-human-rights-ordinance-could-be

"The council will vote on applying for grants from the Florida Inland Navigation District that would split the costs of some projects with the state. The deal commits the city to spending $402,000 for Mayport dock construction and $125,000 for Pottsburg Creek dredging designs but rejects plans for dredging near the zoo and a Northbank Riverwalk project involving a kayak launch and pedestrian bridge."

Also see: http://cityclts.coj.net/coj/COJBillList.asp?Bill=2012-0273 (the Zoo dredging and kayak launch project are removed via amendment)

[fieldafm]

Almost positive this was discussed on the board a few weeks ago.

The majority of the Geffen kayak launch project would have been some kind of boardwalk from Geffen to the river. Seems to me (and I'm about as pro-kayak as you can get) that a more low impact option could be studied.  I still think that the cheapest way to do it would be to use your existing asset (the RAM dock) and attach a kayak launch and open up that dock to hand-launched vessels (would have no Manatee concerns) 7 days a week, similar to the kayak launch facility at the Jim King Boat Ramp fronting the marsh.



You can't see it from this picture, but on the floating dock there is a launch 'hook' for kayaks.

[cline]

What is the reason the RAM dock is not open 7 days a week right now?  I thought I heard a while back that was due to some sort of insurance issues.

[Noone]

Just saw this. Because RAM and LPS want total epoch control. 2011-364 was withdrawn. This was discussed at the last Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting. Commission members being left in the dark.

Redman chair of Waterways. Redman was at the special FIND subcommittee meeting for canoe and kayak launches chaired by Gary Anderson with outgoing FIND commissioner Mike Messiano.  The Public Trust just totally crushed in this community.  We are so lost.

Still trying to wrap my arms around what is a Public, Private, Partnership.

[dougskiles]

What is the reason the RAM dock is not open 7 days a week right now?  I thought I heard a while back that was due to some sort of insurance issues.

It is only open on Saturdays to minimize impact to manatees.  I asked the same question a while back.  This thread answers some of them:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-apr-water-taxi-service-expands-to-riverside

[simms3]

So boaters, many of whom nowadays have total disregard for courtesy and laws, let alone manatees, are allowed to boat around 24/7, but the RAM dock is only open on Saturdays and a kayak launch was not funded in order to minimize impact to manatees?

Does any of that make sense?  I didn't even know kayaks could have an impact on manatees!

If the city is truly concerned...block the entire waterway to powerboats during the same time frame!

[Noone]

^+1 Another great post.

[tufsu1]

So boaters, many of whom nowadays have total disregard for courtesy and laws, let alone manatees, are allowed to boat around 24/7, but the RAM dock is only open on Saturdays and a kayak launch was not funded in order to minimize impact to manatees?

Does any of that make sense?  I didn't even know kayaks could have an impact on manatees!

If the city is truly concerned...block the entire waterway to powerboats during the same time frame!

it may have been a concession in getting the new dock permitted with the state and federal agencies

[mtraininjax]

Where is that Public / Private partnership? Where was the Mayor on this?

[tufsu1]

nice try mtrain, but this was done under Peyton

[mtraininjax]

nice try mtrain, but this was done under Peyton

Courthouse was started under Peyton too, but was it Peyton's people who mismanaged the move-in process?

Can't keep blaming the old administration for what is happening today! Lead, follow, or get the heck out of the way!

[Noone]

2012-402

[Shine]

FYI â€" not completely accurate the CC “Rejects” funding for kayak launch.  Nearly all of this funding would have gone to repairing the river walk over the basin adjacent to the Kayak launch - I dont recall any actuall funds going to the launch itself .  There is a general 1/2 matching fund component to these state grants and the taxpayer is on the hook for the balance.  Moneys not used go back in the pool to fund other projects in Florida. These are Florida Waterways and we are all Floridians.  So, the caution shown regarding spending â€" I assure you â€" was driven by a goal to meet the best interest of the public.  The original list of FIND projects was changed after WWC approval and that is what created the problem.  A member of CC has indicated he is willing to put forth legislation that would prevent the Administration from changing the FIND list once approved.

[Noone]

The original list of FIND projects was changed after WWC approval and that is what created the problem. 

BINGO! So who gets the John Meserve FIND grant award for circumventing the Public Process when it comes to ad valorem property tax revenue? The Public Trust destroyed.

Spoke with Redman at the 9pm break during the 7/24/12 Jacksonville city council meeting and mentioned attaching an amendment to 2012-364 on the Shipyards III pier. Still refuses to do it. The pier is still in his District. His choice. Still 18 other council members. Then I told him about 2012-402 and the Public Hearing that would occur later. He was euphoric in telling me that he was no longer on Waterways. What projects were approved again?

The Governor and the commissioners of FIND are aware of the issue.

Still haven't heard back from the Riverkeeper (Administration) about the Pier and don't have a clue what's going on with the SJRA. I'm a member of both.


So Redman is back on Waterways in 8 days.  An OED that just had the DIA Board by a vote give the OED total control with the passage of the "Authorization to Negotiate and Engage on Various Downtown projects document" just weeks before the start of the new CEO of the DIA Aundra Wallace (I feel sorry for the man already)

FSCJ and a $500,000 midnight email for Wallace voted on by a Board.
PFPF Board votes a Pension for life to a convicted child molester.
JTA and a Board vote for a golden parachute for Blaylock.
Palms Fish Camp - A million bucks and you never even open the door.
Add your own- There are more examples.

New legislation.
2013-377 PS4
2013-373- Regulatory Compliance Coordinator?
2013-384- Hogans Creek
2013-418- Dock repair

FIND is good
Jacksonville is LOST

2009-442- Artificial Reef Trust Fund. Anyone want to donate a buck? I'll deliver it personally on your behalf in 8 days at the 8/14/13 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting.  This is positive.

The Public Trust just crushed.

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us

I am Downtown and why you aren't

[Know Growth]

So boaters, many of whom nowadays have total disregard for courtesy and laws, let alone manatees, are allowed to boat around 24/7, but the RAM dock is only open on Saturdays and a kayak launch was not funded in order to minimize impact to manatees?

Does any of that make sense?  I didn't even know kayaks could have an impact on manatees!

If the city is truly concerned...block the entire waterway to powerboats during the same time frame!

it may have been a concession in getting the new dock permitted with the state and federal agencies

Apparently that is the case.Kayak accommodation perhaps never came up as an element of permit review,and now can not or will not be interjected for a host of reasons or excuses..

The RAM dock was a surprise to many.

By the way- RAM permit files are available for personal review via public records request.
connie.webel@dep.state.fl.us

Fast Forward!  Paddle faster!