Live Blogging from City Council: Mobility Fee Moratorium

[TheCat]

I've already heard "this is going to be a long night" from several people. Jax's media elites are walking around. Well, i see Littlepage and that other guy (we've met at least half a dozen times). I'm going to nod my head at him...done.

The agenda is no more than two pages.

The good news: I'm able to access facebook because I was logged in before hooking up to the city's wifi. Remember that key fact. This means I'l have something to during the "anything goes/chat roulette" public comments. I've heard the surprisingly repetitive yet completely indecipherable social commentary from the same people one too many times.

[TheCat]

You can watch the meeting live on the link. You'll need flip4mac if you are on an apple device.

http://media.coj.net/COJCouncil

[tufsu1]

there are several big things on tonight's agenda....mobility fee, $9 million for downtown reinvestment, and further action on HRC

[TheCat]

Those for the Moratorium have stickers. "Vote Yes on 94." Someone asked "what's 94?" The sticker wearer "...it's essentially a jobs program." However, he was starting to say something like "It gives builders enough time to...It's essentially a jobs program.

If you want to see the legislation it's on the link below:

http://cityclts.coj.net/coj/COJBillList.asp?Bill=2013-0094

[thelakelander]

Daniel Davis is speaking in favor of the moratorium.  He drove over from Tallahassee. Said there's a lot of noise distracting people from the real issues like traffic counts, bicycle lanes, jobs.....

But don't get distracted by that stuff. Bottom line, they finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The moratorium is about jobs, plain and simple.

[thelakelander]

Personally, I agree with him.  The moratorium bill should be about jobs.  I just don't agree with a strategy that subsidizes job growth we already have.  If anything, if someone is struggling perhaps it should be on a case by case basis to evaluate their project at best. I didn't agree with his position on Cecil Field years ago either.  Today, we're still waiting on all those jobs that were promised. Quite frankly, 7-11, Wendy's, Waffle House, and Family Dollar shouldn't be getting taxpayer money for market rate feasible projects they're going to build regardless. 

[TheCat]

Public hearings are open on Mobility Plan. Daniel Davis, former Council Member and head of NE Florida Builders association.

He is saying:

- tough times
- you will hear a lot of noise
- don't get distracted
- bottom line: "i got a call. This person said to him " we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Don't let us lose that light."
- This is all about jobs.
- when i hear nails that means someone is putting food on their table.
- when you don't have a job the prettiest park in the world don't mean anything.
- this will expand the economy in the city of jacksonville

Bishop thanked Davis for everything he does for us in Tallahassee.

[TheCat]

Lumb is talking about bill 75. One the link.
http://cityclts.coj.net/coj/COJBillList.asp?Bill=2013-0075

This is about:

"This bill confirms the Mayor’s reappointment of Parvez Ahmed, as a member of the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission, for a second term ending December 31, 2015."

Lumb is upset with Ahmed about an email Ahmed sent that said something like "Lumb's concerns are probably fed by an anti-muslim group." Lumb is responding saying something like, "Ahmed has written that he is open to anti-blasphemy laws as a part of hate speech/laws regulation. That's against free speech."

[TheCat]

So they just voted to approve #75 which keeps Ahmed on the commission.

[thelakelander]

LOL! Crescimbeni!

[TheCat]

Public Comments are about to begin.

First Speaker: Ahmed has a connection to a terrorist. She used the connection of a Muslim in the Army and the Fort Hood Shooting. Essentially, she said, all muslims are gonna kill you it's not if but when.

2nd Speaker: Also about Ahmed, "muslims are everywhere."  Does he know that the 2nd largest shareholder in news corp (fox news) is a saudi prince, Alwaleed bin Talal Alsaud ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/8841452/Top-ten-News-Corp-voting-shareholders.html).

Crescimbeni is attacking this guy, wow! He mentioned that the speaker "stole" 625k dollars. And, Crescimbeni, said "I was wondering if you were intentionally mispronouncing his name.

Bishop, slams gavel, when he said to Crescimbeni "we are not going there" and the audience cheered for Bishop.  He yells "This will not be a free for all" to the audience.

Flash back to my child hood..."I'm sorry dad!"

Redman, earlier asked, can those opposed to Ahmed please stand. Six women stood and a couple of men.

Someone else is speaking but I had to zone him out in order to breath.

Kim Daniels is talking, she voted for Ahmed, and she's offended by the previous speaker insulting the council. This speaker said that the vote for Ahmed was "treasonous."

The council is up in arms about essentially being called inept.

[thelakelander]

Who's this McDaniel guy? What $625k did he steal?  Now Councilwoman Lee is laying in on him.

[Bridges]

Just when you think it can't get weirder.

[TheCat]

I can't get over Crescimbeni. He went for the jugular.

This speaker, is monotone, so...you know...facebook calls...but it's about Ahmed.

I'm surprised they voted before hearing the public comments.

[Debbie Thompson]

Lots of pro moratorium stickers in the city council meeting tonight. Opponents of the moratorium, if you came to the last council meeting and thought you didn't need to come tonight, turns out you do after all. If you are not here already, and can make it, please come ASAP. If you don't want to speak, fill out a speaker card, mark opposed to 2013-94, and just write you don't want to speak.