Live Blogging: City Council Mobility Fee Moratorium & Metropolitan Park

[tufsu1]

So should we spend any time asking the Mayor for a veto? (so frustrating.)

no....the compromise isn't that bad...and while the mayor is all for the mobility fee, I think he'll see the compromise as I do...a necessary evil

[dougskiles]

So should we spend any time asking the Mayor for a veto? (so frustrating.)

no....the compromise isn't that bad...and while the mayor is all for the mobility fee, I think he'll see the compromise as I do...a necessary evil

Not to mention that a veto is only possible when you have less than 14 votes in favor.  He can't veto an 18-0 decision.

[Bridges]

So the bill is 18 months, first 9 months at 25% of the fee, next 6 at 50%, then the last three at 75%?  Right?

Why in the world would you think they wouldn't come back after 9 months and ask for an extension of 25%?  They've already proven they will use any development to support their claims, regardless of merit. 

Also, what about the statewide attempt to put a moratorium on mobility plans for 3 years?  That seems to be progressing without a hitch through the legislature.  Maybe the end goal here is for developers to buy time on the cheap at 25%, hoping it carries right into the statewide moratorium? 

[Ocklawaha]

Bridges, our mobility plan should not be effected by the state. There is an opt out in the state bill for plans that were approved with a certain percentage of yea votes. Our Mobility Plan was unanimous in a rare moment of cerebral activity on the council.

I do agree however that the blood is in the water and the sharks will soon be circling again to demand 'just another few tax dollars to subsidize our projects.' How about a reduction to 25% across the whole period? Could we just eliminate the plan at the end of 18 months? Watch for financing of infrastructure from property taxes and CDD'S... there are just SO MANY WAYS these B#$%^*%$@@%! can get in our pockets when they can buy the City Council. I don't trust any of them as far as I could toss them... and God knows how I'd love to toss them!

[Cheshire Cat]

From The Daily Record

Legislation to waive the City noise ordinance for upcoming shows at Metropolitan Park â€" and public debate about the park's role to host such events â€" resulted in City Council Chambers being cleared Tuesday after several public demonstrations of applause.

More than 100 people attended the Council meeting, with many speaking during the first period of public comment that lasted more than 3 1/2 hours. Many advocates of the waiver applauded after several speakers, which led to Council President Bill Bishop ordering the room to be cleared.

Council rules prohibit demonstrations, such as applause or vocal protest, during meetings.

Council eventually passed the waiver, which will exempt the Southeast US Boat Show this weekend, the "Welcome to Rockville" show April 27-28 and the Funk Fest in early May at the venue.

"I'm proud of Jacksonville for coming out … the waiver is a temporary solution and we'll continue working for a permanent solution," said Danny Wimmer, promoter of the "Welcome to Rockville" event.

At least one local radio station, 102.9 FM, asked people to attend Tuesday's meeting to oppose clamping down on shows at Metropolitan Park. The station advertised on its Facebook page that it would give away 100 pairs of tickets to "Welcome to Rockville" for those who turned out for the meeting, in addition to prizes for best protest sign.

Council member Denise Lee chairs a Council Ad Hoc Committee on Metropolitan Park, which offered the waiver and is reviewing noise issues for paid events at the venue.

The waiver also establishes noise testing to be conducted at the upcoming shows, with the data to be used by the committee as part of a study.

Lee said the waiver is meant to assure people associated with the event that it will still take place as planned.

"This is only a temporary fix," she said.

Several people who spoke against the waiver also said the park was not intended to host such shows.

Bishop said the park "has a lot of problems" and was not designed to host shows like Rockville, but said that did not mean it was not an appropriate venue.

He said if people "want to get in that game" in terms of having such a facility, much work needs to be done to make it happen.

Legislation to expand the Entertainment Zone, which comprises the sports complex and other Downtown areas but not Metropolitan Park, was discussed but was not taken up by Council.

"I just think at this particular time, it's just not timely," Lee said.

For full article which includes other actions taken last night use this link:  http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=539194

[JeffreyS]

So should we spend any time asking the Mayor for a veto? (so frustrating.)

no....the compromise isn't that bad...and while the mayor is all for the mobility fee, I think he'll see the compromise as I do...a necessary evil

some people were just born ready to compromise, as long as it means they get nothing in return.

Thats bloody ridiculous, tufsu.

There was no 'compromise'.  the voters and the city got nothing in return except a bill for infrastructure.

I agree it was no compromise rather a mitigation of what the council was going to do to their constituents save for the fact that there was strong push back. 

[Cheshire Cat]

From FCN last evening.  Look at the demeanor of this businessman during this interview.  He is clearly amazed by what he witnessed in the City Council meeting and note that he has planned over 25 events for Jacksonville that may be threatened by all of this mess in Metropark.  Hello Mayor Brown are you paying attention?  You want to grow downtown, perhaps you can explain to everyone how to do that in a city that makes the lives of business people miserable to the point of driving them away?  Sad stuff folks.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/308077/483/Save-the-music-in-Metro-Park

[thelakelander]

So should we spend any time asking the Mayor for a veto? (so frustrating.)

I'm so far past this.  For me, the mobility fee subsidies taxpayers are forced to payout are only a microcosm of the challenges our community faces.  Whether it's the human rights ordinance, concerts in Metro Park, the mobility fee, a dead downtown, unreliable mass transit, poorly maintained parks, etc., all things fall back to one arena......poor leadership. Imo, time should be spent on finding and getting a number of qualified people ready to run for seats in the next election.  Jacksonville has all the potential in the world and some of the smartest people in society residing in it.  However, none of this matters if we don't have the proper amount of leadership willing to stand up for the average taxpayer and the good of the greater community.

[Cheshire Cat]

So should we spend any time asking the Mayor for a veto? (so frustrating.)

I'm so far past this.  For me, the mobility fee subsidies taxpayers are forced to payout are only a microcosm of the challenges our community faces.  Whether it's the human rights ordinance, concerts in Metro Park, the mobility fee, a dead downtown, unreliable mass transit, poorly maintained parks, etc., all things fall back to one arena......poor leadership. Imo, time should be spent on finding and getting a number of qualified people ready to run for seats in the next election.  Jacksonville has all the potential in the world and some of the smartest people in society residing in it.  However, none of this matters if we don't have the proper amount of leadership willing to stand up for the average taxpayer and the good of the greater community.

Ennis, I completely agree which is why I have spent so many years focused on local politics and the people pushing our local agenda's.  I know a lot of folks don't like to hear about this stuff and would rather focus on what they would like to see change in the economic and development fabric of Jacksonville but that will always be hindered until the citizen voters take serious action to change things.  The reality is that all those dreams are made more and more difficult and challenging because we have all around horrible leadership.  By this I mean leadership that is often in office as a result of special interest push, finance and agendas and even though this  may make some angry to hear, this starts with our bought and paid for mayor and extends down through council and various offices throughout the city.  Too often we (the citizens) accept and defend lousy leadership and representation.  If we make excuses for that then we cannot expect anything better than what we currently have.

Yesterday evening at City Hall was simply farcical and incredibly embarrassing to watch.  While I make this statement, I am fully aware that leadership will have already decided their behaviors and actions were not only necessary but justified.  There is a political culture at work in Jacksonville that is incredibly damaging to all of us.  Until folks get damn serious about taking the political mess on, nothing else will fall into line the way it should in a city filled with good and talented folks.  I got so fed up with all of this I took a year and a half off from any involvement because it actually made me sick.  That is not going to happen again as I will no longer allow the nonsense to make me sick but rather intend to address the core of the sickness in this city.  Gosh, I know this may sound a bit angry but I do not apologize for that today.  There is a point when people should not only become disgusted with leadership but should do some soul searching about why we keep allowing the latitude we do to special interests and the people they buy.

[fsujax]

The only way things will change will be to vote those out of office and replace them with competent people who do not answer to developers alone, who get and understand city planning as well as knwoing how to attract the millenials and creative class. I too am sick of this City Council and their poor leadership.

[fieldafm]

For everyone reading, remember this when these smart people step up to the plate and run for office.  There were quite a few last year that never got past the primary.

Being proactive instead of apathetic, is the only way those people can make it happen.  This isn't North Korea, those smart people you speak of have to be elected into office in order to make a difference.  Otherwise, status quo will reign supreme. 

[Jumpinjack]

Did anyone record the vote on the mobility moratorium or the noise ordinance? Can't find it anywhere.

[Cheshire Cat]

The moratorium was 18 for 0 against. So everyone on council save one dismissed member voted for the moratorium bill.  There were two pieces of legislation up regarding Metropark.  One was the short term piece that covered three events.  I don't remember that vote count.  The other piece of legislation was not discharged last night. 

[Cheshire Cat]

Update to above.  The moratorium bill 2013-94 passed 18 for 0 against with Yarborough excused.
The sound waiver bill 2013-244 passed 18 for 0 against with Yarborough excused.  This waiver is only     
good for three events.  A short term bill that does not address events past June.

[02roadking]

Just wondering here. Will this event, featuring bands, be exempt also?  http://theoysterjammusicfestival.com/