For and Against: The Mobility Fee Moratorium (2013-094)

[Metro Jacksonville]

For and Against: The Mobility Fee Moratorium (2013-094)



In what is shaping up to be a battle of David and Goliath, Metro Jacksonville continues to stand up to big business interests to illustrate how a three year moratorium (2013-094) on the mobility fee places Jacksonville's taxpayers in a bad financial position. Today, we respond to pro moratorium talking points sheet being used behind closed doors to convince City Council to subsidize all forms of new development without any system of checks and balances at the expense of their constituents.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-mar-for-and-against-the-mobility-fee-moratorium-2013-094

[sheclown]

Mobility Fee Moratorium's journey this week:  TAKE ACTION

In Rules 10 am this morning. Email your opposition to:

Clay@coj.net, JimLove@coj.net, LBoyer@coj.net, Holt@coj.net, RLumb@coj.net, JRC@coj.net, WAJones@coj.net

In Transportation 2pm this afternoon. Email your opposition to:
GAnderson@coj.net, JimLove@coj.net, RBrown@coj.net, Holt@coj.net, RLumb@coj.net, MattS@coj.net

In Finance10 am tomorrow. Email your opposition to:
Clay@coj.net, GAnderson@coj.net, LBoyer@coj.net, Gaffney@coj.net, Gulliford@coj.net, JRC@coj.net, Joost@coj.ne

all meetings: Council Chamber
First Floor, City Hall
117 W. Duval

[sheclown]

If the intention of this bill is a "jobs bill" as Daniel Davis points out, then it seems a better plan would be to introduce a true jobs bill.

All industries could participate in this jobs bill.

This jobs bill could have criteria in place that guarantees jobs to locals.  It could also guarantee that the monies spent by the citizens of Jacksonville for new jobs is monitored and measured.

Dumping millions of dollars in the hands of big developers and hoping that it filters down to jobs for locals is naive at best considering Jacksonville's history in this regard.  At worst, it stinks like corruption.

[thelakelander]

A "jobs bill" should also not include a provision that exempts certain developments from paying a mobility fee forever, if all they do is plat their property during the proposed three year period.  I'm really not sure that this has anything to do with the economy in the short term.

[thelakelander]

What's going on with the former K-Mart in St. Augustine is basically what the mobility plan and fee structure guides on a larger scale. Instead of building a new schopping center, this space vacated by K-mart will be redeveloped to house several retailers, including Ross, Ultra and Staples.

Several national retailers to take over Kmart space in St. Augustine

The plaza that formerly was home to Kmart on U.S. 1 will soon spring back to life with several new national retail tenants and at least one full-service restaurant, the owner of the property said last week.

“We’re going to completely refresh the Seabridge Square Shopping Center,” said Bonnie Dean, vice president and director of construction for Selig Enterprises, an Atlanta-based company that has owned the property since the early 1980s.

Dean said the demolition and renovation project will cost Selig Enterprises between $6 million and $10 million and that the company is using local contractors and subs to do the work, which should be completed by February.
“Even the existing tenants, like Marshalls, are going to get their facades redone,” Dean said. “We’re also going to do additional landscaping improvements. It’s going to be exciting and will look like a new place.”

full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-03-04/story/several-national-retailers-take-over-kmart-space-st-augustine

Such a project in Jacksonville would have no mobility fee.

[Bridges]

Great article Lake!  Thanks for all your hard work.

I can't make Rules this morning, but as of right now I can make the TEU.  I don't represent any specific group, or have a background in urban planning.  I do own a business though, one that could benefit from new development.  But I don't believe their claims, and I think a better Jacksonville benefits everyone.  A better Jacksonville brings businesses, and keeps it's smart youth.  THAT drives jobs, and business for all. 

Everyone needs to email, and stay on them.  I assure you NEFBA has already blasted out emails to their members.

[thelakelander]

I hate that this is being pigeon holed into a mobility plan/fee vs new development issue, because it's not.  New development is encouraged by the mobility plan set up.  The plan simply guides new development to be financially sustainable instead of the highly subsidized system we've grown accustomed too.  I'm going to try and make it to Rules this morning but I'm not sure if I can make TEU.  At some point, I have to take a little time and produce the things that help keep my lights and water on, lol.

[sheclown]

smart growth requires ...well...effort and smarts.

[Jumpinjack]

I will attend most of the committee meetings. The problem being that the council has seen me over and over again. The same is true of some of you. Unless the rest of the MJ Mobility Plan supporters show up and speak, it will be like those cards pre-marked by the opposition and given to the Council last week. No show, no go.

[Bill Hoff]

2013-94 won't be discussed at the Rules committee today. Supposedly there will be a special joint committee meeting to discuss 2013-94 later in the week. Waiting for it to be official.

[thelakelander]

Hmm, could a compromise be in the works?

[Cheshire Cat]

A powerful fact filled piece Ennis, wonderfully done!  Did this get emailed to all the members of council?  How about media?

[thelakelander]

Yes, I've emailed council members, DIA members last week, and media, as well.  I expect, they'll revise their numbers and attempt to counter with something else, if they already have not.

[JFman00]

Very compelling. Great to see this publicized.

[cindy394]

wish someone would explain whats happening in laywoman's "It's the first time I have heard of this" terms-