2009-442 Artificial Reef Trust Fund (Jacksonville's Downtown Citizens Reef)

[Noone]

^The point of an artificial reef in the river is to create habitat for fish and the rocks did not occur there naturally. The regional benefit from these 5 or 6 GPS approved locations can and should be experienced for years to come. Very positive.

Yesterday I heard Jacksonville Waterways Commission member Scott Shine on the Gone Fishin show and his comments should fire everyone up and say "Visit Jacksonville!"

So here is the agenda of the 8/14/13 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting. There wasn't a meeting in July

Approval of JWC minutes for June 12, 2013
II-Ord. 2013-380- Maritime Management Plan (FIND)
III- St. Johns River Status Report                                 Dr. Quinton White, JU
      Water Quality and Manatee.                                   Dr. Gerard Pinto, JU
IV- St. Johns Rivers Issues Update.                              Lisa Rinaman, St. Johns Riverkeeper
V. Old Business
    New Business
VI- Public Comments

Going from the minutes of the June 12, 2013 minutes in attendance: Council members Jim Love (Chair), Lori Boyer (Vice Chair), John Crescimbeni; Commissioners Ed Fleming, John Godfrey, Ralph Hodges, Ray Pringle, Scott Shine, Stephen Swann; State representative Lake Ray was excused; OGC Paige Johnston; Dr. White and Dr. Pinto, Jacksonville University; Capt. Jim Suber, Waterways Coordinator; Capt. Mike Getchell, Jacksonville Marine Transportation Exchange; James Richardson, Environmental Protection Board; Lt. Commander Shane Alexander, USCG; Mike Hollingsworth, USACE; John Nooney, Recreational Fishing Alliance; Capt. Bill Parker, In River or Ocean; Marilyn Allen, Legislative Services; John J. Jackson, Council Research Division.

Jacksonville city councilman Don Redman is now back as the chair of Waterways. Why?
There wasn't a FIND update on the table. Does anybody care?

Didn't notice any media in attendance. Key no shows starting to become apparent. Councilman Crescimbeni even noted that in the 6/12/13 minutes. So here is where the alarm bells should start ringing for everyone in Jacksonville and that is the Backroom process that is the artificial Reefs in the river. This was highlighted by Jody McDaniel and Scott Shine in a brief dialogue exchange.

There is a definite 5 and maybe a 6Th permitted spot that can be used in the river and given the I95 Overland Bridge Project and the euphoric collaboration of all these agencies as this was resurrected to then crumble back to a Backroom deal is not taking Jacksonville to the next level.

So in 3 days will be a special meeting that will be chaired by Gary Anderson (The Bill Schea of Waterways) that will address St. Johns River Issues. Open to the Public and will be at 10 am 8/27/13 in council chambers. Will it be televised?

The next day at 5pm is a CRA in the USA Of our new DIA Plan Workshop that will take Public input for the Structure of the Plan, Stakeholders, and Goal Objectives.

So back to St. Johns River Issues.
Will the RAM dock be open when RAM is not open? 24/7 Public Access
Will there be 24/7 Public Access to the new floating dock that will be part of the new $15,000,000 Southbank Riverwalk Project?
Will there be 24/7 Public Access to the floating dock that is currently at Shipyards and legislatively guaranteed?
Will there be an amendment to 2013-384 Hogans Creek for 24/7 Public Access?
Will there be action to permit more of the reefs in the river? Make it at least 3.
Will there be action to move Catherine St. Forward with 24/7 Public Access? Between Berkman and Shipyards.
So much more.
We have all given up asking you know who about you know what.

Add your own.

[Noone]

St. Johns River Issues meeting 4 hours out. Anyone going? 10 am today in council chambers. Will it be televised? New legislation. 2013-558. Public Hearing 9/10/13.

$25,000 let's waive this for Extra Public Benefit Reef. Why not? Did Waterways properly notify the full city council on the artificial Reefs in the River?

Will there be a FIND update for everyone? We are so LOST.

[Noone]

20 minutes out. Anyone going? Will it be televised?

Public Access and Economic Opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative.

[Noone]

On 8/27/13 in council chambers was the Jacksonville Waterways Subcommittee meeting of St. Johns River Issues and the two hour meeting was packed with an open exchange of great information that ultimately will effect all of us as we Promote, Access, Celebrate, Protect our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAl Initiative.

On the Subcommittee is Gary Anderson the Chair; Council member Lori Boyer who was there but left before the start. Council member Don Redman who was there but left. JWC Commissioner Ralph Hodges was not there but told everyone that he was going to be out of town. JWC Commission members Scott Shine and Steve Swann were there. Not on the Subcommittee but making an appearance were JWC Commission members Ed Flemming and Lane Burnett. Extra props to them.

Chairman Anderson started with a handout of Chapter 95 of the Ordinance code which is the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. He highlighted Sec. 95.106 Duties and specifically (d) To act as a coordinating agency for programs and activities affecting the improvement, development and protection of the St. johns River and all tidal waters in Duval County.

On my speaker card I highlighted Sec. 95.105 Purposes and specifically (a) To study and make recommendations to the COUNCIL with respect to the improvement, development and protection of the St. Johns River and all tidal waters in Duval county.  HEY! Jacksonville city council members do you have any clue as to what the heck is going on with the artificial reefs in the river? Funding options- Palms Fish Camp, A million bucks and you never even open the door. next to a FIND project. New legislation 2013-558 and how about the Extra Public Benefit Reef?  I digress.

Chairman Anderson wanted to focus on Sec. 95.106 Duties (d) and so the meeting started with a presentation by Mike Hollingsworth with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. I like Mike. It was a two hour meeting and the presentation and the Q&A'S by everyone was exciting to be a part of. Chairman Anderson and Mike opened up the floor at numerous times and anyone and I mean anyone had an opportunity to share a concern.

The scope of this project is huge. Representation from the JPA was there. Joe Miller, Nancy Rubin, and another gentleman. It was two hours of solid information and the big story is that it's not even half way done. There are 9 studies going on right now and only 3 are done. So there will be 6 more and who knows what they will say.

This is being fast tracked by the president and the USACOE is responding as fast as they can. I'd say stick to the 45'.

What I extracted from this meeting was that salt has been measured as far south as Middleberg in the river. The impact to vegetation is not good.

On a side note during my opportunity at Public comment I shared how the focus is on the economic benefit for the Port. But how about the economic benefit for the biggest land neighbor to the north. The Timucuan National Park. Where is the Park Service on this? This is Federal.

The meeting ended at 2pm and there was a city council meeting scheduled 3 hours later. On the agenda 2013-536 Barbara Goodman to the Tourist Development Council as a Tourist Industry Rep. That has to be Positive.

12 hours out from our new CRA in the USA for our DIA anyone going? 5pm 1st floor city hall

Ben, JCCI - We still need to kayak Downtown before 2025
St. Johns River Issues.
Add your own

[Noone]

JWC meeting in one day. 9:30 am city council chambers.  The continuous crushing of the Public Trust. God bless Paul Astleford the new guy with Visit Jacksonville.
Does anyone want to donate a buck to 2009-442? Call me 904-434-0839 and I will deliver it personally on your behalf.

This is POSITIVE TOURISM in our DOWNTOWN St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

[Noone]

The 9/11/13 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting started with a moment of silence as we all remembered and then everyone joining in the saying of the pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Thank you councilman Redman for doing that.

Going from the Aug. 14, 2013 minutes in attendance: Council members Don Redman ( Chair), Lori Boyer (Vice Chair), John Crescimbeni; Commissioners, Gary Anderson, John Godfrey, Ralph Hodges, Scott Shine, Stephen Swann, Penny Thompson; Council member Jim Love ; Paige Johnston, OGC; Capt. Jim Suber, Waterways Coordinator; Dr. Quinton White, JU; Jody McDaniel, Planning Department; Lisa Rinaman, SJRK; James Richardson, Environmental Protection Board; Mike Hollingsowrth, USACE; Geoff Sample, SJRWMD; Janie Thomas, Shrimp Producers Association; John Nooney, Recreational Fishing Alliance; Aaron Scholten, American Legion Post 9; Steve Patterson, Florida Times Union; Kevin Kuzel, Scott Wilson, ECA; Marilyn Allen, Legislative Assistant; John J. Jackson, Council Research Division.

On the agenda for the 9/11/13 JWC meeting

I- Approval of 8/14/13 Minutes.

Ord. 2013-565 JU and Manatee Protection funding

II- St. Johns River Status Report.                                             Dr. White- JU
     Water Quality & Manatee.                                                   Dr. Pinto- JU

III- St. Johns River Issues Subcommittee Update.                      Commissioner Gary Anderson

IV- St. Johns River Issue Update.                                              Lisa Rinaman- SJRK

V- Old Business
     New Business.   

VI- Public Comments

Governor Scott- Please help! We are so LOST

The highlight of the meeting was the super omission of a FIND update on the agenda.
This is not good. So wrong!

Let's not forget about the Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, 26' Berkman floating dock compromise misrepresented by OGC during the 2013 FIND grant application process. The Commissioners of FIND we're made aware of this Boo Boo at the FIND Commissioners meeting in Nassau county.

The total crushing of the Public Trust. This is our ad valorem property taxes. Hey RICO guys! Wake up!
Palms Fish Camp- Next to a FIND project. Who gets the credit for this million dollar mistake?

Will an amendment be attached to 2013-384? Hogans Creek.

I had intended to make a donation to 2009-442. Forgot the check book.

Paul Astleford the new guy just 9 mos on the job and his recognition that 32 organizations are hindering Tourism is profound and alarming when we are all trying to promote Downtown from our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

The USS Adams needs to happen.

[Noone]

3 hours out from the Downtown Experience Committee meeting of the DIA 4pm 1st floor city hall and its open to the Public. There is new Downtown Waterway signage that is pre Aundra Wallace. Councilman Redman. Where are you?

With Mr. Wallace the DIA should, could and can take money for 2009-442.

[Noone]

Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting at 9:30 am council chambers. Anyone want to donate to 6 artificial Reefs south of the Fuller Warren Bridge. DIA meetings later.

It screams TOURISM!!!!!

FDOT- Where are you? It's not you it's Jacksonville. We are a joke. Backroom deals.

Paul Astleford identifies 32 organizations that are hindering TOURISM. Can we all say RICO.

New signage on our Waterways Downtown. Who will be the first news organization to cover it? All positive.

[Noone]

The Redevlopment Plan Committee Workshop of the DIA is 3 hours out. Open to the Public. 1st floor city hall at 3pm. Huge meeting. My Dist. 4 representative has assured me of representation.

Still waiting for the next DIA Board meeting and my donation to 2009-442 that was made at a Downtown Experience Committee meeting with our new CEO of the DIA and the new CEO of Visit Jacksonville in the house.

No Shoes
No Shirt
No Money
No Problem

Silo contest for anyone who can still share with all MJ'ers about the new Waterway signage in our CRA/DIA in the USA highly restricted zone that was never before Waterways. I will treat you to Chopstick Charley's. We can use Uber.

[Noone]

What a difference a month makes.
We are so LOST.
Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting just one day out.

[Noone]

Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting 1 hour out. anyone going? Will be making another contribution to 2009-442. Artificial Reef Trust Fund. A positive benefit for 6 artificial reefs south of the Fuller Warren Bridge. DIA meeting later.

Will there be a FIND update on the agenda? we are so LOST. Our property tax money. Good thing we just had an increase.

[Noone]

WOW! WOW! WOW! Total Backroom deals. Counciwoman Boyer again knocks it out of the park. The crushing of the Public Trust.
Visit Jacksonville!!!!

Still an open contest on the brand new Waterway signage that has been up now for over a month. Ask Don Redman about it. Will treat anyone to Chopstick Charley's and we'll use UBER. It is in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

DIA Board meeting at 5pm. 1St floor city hall.

[Noone]

Stephendare, I'll post more and try to better explain the total crushing of the Public Trust that is happening right in front of our very eyes but right now let me share a positive with you and all the MJ'ers.

I received and proudly delivered to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission a donation by mail from an out of town MJ'er for 2009-442. I read into the record your first paragraph and it was an inspiration for us all. Thank you.

[Noone]

Historic Designation
Blue Way Designation

Was kept from Waterways and city council.  Not good.
Anyone else want to donate a buck to 2009-442?

I am Downtown and why you aren't

[Noone]

Tides look good this afternoon. Planning a RICO paddle in a BOLD urban core tactical launch that will provide a spark that will tell the world to VISIT JACKSONVILLE. Yeah right!

This trip will include Drinking, Eating, and Fishing in our new highly restricted DIA zone. Will also include a Vivian Harrell Blue bag cleanup. Will throw in some Environmental Ethics- Vince Seibold.

Believe it or not I have a license to do this. If you choose to fish you need your own fishing license. All I ask is a donation that I will deliver on your behalf before Waterways, City Council, or  DIA that would go to 2009-442. Artificial Reef Trust Fund.

Special shutout to any media outside of Duval county, Any undercover agents, Any Hooter girls. (Supposed to warm up today)

We will be DOWNTOWN.

Ben-JCCI we need to do this before 2025