Kim Scott: Fox guarding hen house??

[JaxUnicorn]

These documents are interesting indeed.  Would be interested to get a copy of the documents referenced in the fact-finding memo from Tracey D. Watkins, Chief of Employee and Labor Relations with the City of Jacksonville, dated April 3, 2013 outlining a City EQD Fact-finding initiative regarding Vincent Seibold. 

See the below from that memo:


Note the statement by Jim Robinson: "This previous employment, which created relationships that are probably still maintained, may serve to potentially alert the State of possible conflict of interest problems with the realignment." 

Thoughts – why would it be a bad thing to alert the State of Florida of potential issues surrounding the actions of city government?  This thread is evolving into something more than just a Conflict of Interest in promoting Kim Scott to Director over MCCD and EQD.....

[sheclown]

...something here STINKS and it ain't just visual emissions...

[movedsouth]

In some ways, this could just be a matter of the typical Jacksonville "who's is going to the right church" effect. But in some ways, who knows, I don't think Major Brown is that new to politics. After all, this isn't his first job in the field. In some ways, it almost looks like there are larger forces at play.

I really wonder if this is just setting the stage for anything larger. Any large city project / new corporation or so moving to JAX that would be important to the Mayor that would be easier if "regulation" and "compliance" would only be applied at the Mayor's bidding?

[strider]

well, there is this plant...Jacksonville Lime and they are going through the environmental permitting process now.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=17680.0

[sheclown]

Lime and Limestone

Carmeuse Lime & Stone is one of the largest producers of limestone and lime in the world with more than 90 production facilities located in 13 countries. In North America, the company operates 28 plants in 33 states and provinces in eastern United States and Canada, including the only lime-manufacturing operation in Florida through a joint venture with Keystone Properties, LLC.

Carmeuse and Jacksonville Lime manufacture a complete range of limestone and lime products to meet the needs of a variety of industries. These products include limestone and limestone aggregate, quicklime, hydrated lime, and milk of lime (Aquacal).

To learn more about limestone mining, lime manufacturing, the environmental benefits of lime, and Jacksonville Lime's line of products, click on the links on the left side of the page.

http://www.jacksonvillelime.com/lime-and-limestone/

August 23, 2013
Florida Governor recognizes Keystone Jacksonville Terminal
055   

Florida Gov. Rick Scott recently recognized new developments at Keystone Jacksonville Terminal. In a statement issued on July 6, 2011, Gov. Scott stated:

"I applaud Keystone Industries and the Florida Rock Division of Vulcan Materials for choosing Florida as the best place to expand their operations, creating 200 jobs for the Jacksonville area. These jobs, along with the 28,000 Florida jobs added during the month of May – 2,000 more than all other 49 states combined – are clear signs Florida is on the path to turning our economy around.

"In our current global economy, businesses can choose to expand and grow anywhere in the world. In Florida, our plan to cut taxes and regulation will continue to attract companies, like Keystone Terminal, that want to get the most out of their investments. I am confident the steps we are taking will make Florida the best location in the world for businesses to grow."

Next year, a joint venture between Carmeuse Lime & Stone and Keystone Properties will develop Jacksonville Lime at the terminal.

http://www.jacksonvillelime.com/news/florida-governor-recognizes-keystones/
http://www.jacksonvillelime.com/lime-and-limestone/

[/quote]

[sheclown]

well, there is this plant...Jacksonville Lime and they are going through the environmental permitting process now.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=17680.0

permitting process:

http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/permits/ghgpermits/jacksonvillelime_ghg.html

[Noone]

This is the section of the new ordinance that sets the new department they wish to make Ms Scott Director of.  Note the requirements of the job.

Section 25.    Amending Part 1 (General), Chapter 35 (Neighborhoods Department), Ordinance Code, to rename Neighborhoods Department to Regulatory Compliance Department.
Chapter 35 (Neighborhoods Department), Part 1 (General), Ordinance Code, is hereby amended as follows:
Chapter 35. Neighborhoods Department Regulatory Compliance Department
Part 1. General
Section 35.101. Establishment; Director.
(a)   There is created an executive department to be known as the Neighborhoods Department Regulatory Compliance Department. The Department shall be responsible for:
   (1)   Administration, operation and enforcement of environmental, air and water resources management activities of the City;
   (2)   Administration and operation of Animal Care and Protective Services;
   (3)   Administration and operation of the Mosquito Control activities of the Consolidated Government;
   (4)   Administration and operation of municipal code compliance activities;
   (5)   Administration, operation, and implementation of affordable housing and community development activities; and
   (6)   Having a liaison relationship with the Jacksonville Public Library.
(b)   The Director of Neighborhoods shall be the head of the Department. The Director shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. The Director shall have a bachelor's degree or higher in an accredited college or university and at least five years of management experience in environmental regulation, affordable housing or community development, or in government. Experience in governmental environmental regulation is preferred. The Director shall be responsible for the regulation and enforcement of environmental, air and water quality matters, the operation of the Mosquito Control, Environmental Quality, Animal Care and Protective Services, Housing and Community Development, and the Municipal Code Compliance Divisions, and have a liaison relationship with the Jacksonville Public Library.

The only environmental management experience I can find is during Ms Scott's tenure as Chief of MCC and as she is currently under investigation for the management of the environmental issues, perhaps that experience should not and can not count.  In fact, I would think it would and should negate all of the other experience for any city job.

Good info. Sorry I missed this. What power in this position.
I like number 1
Administration, Operation and ENFORCEMENT of environmental, air and WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES of the city

Still have an open contest if anyone can take a picture of the Waterways signage that was never before Waterways and I will treat you to Chopstick Charley's and we'll use Uber. It is in our DIA zone.
D- Downtown
I-Is
A-Adjustable

Does this appointment have the endorsements of the Riverkeeper, JU, UNF, Burkholder?

There are FEDERAL oversite projects that are looming for this community. Port dredging. Hogans Creek. Park View land contamination, Claude Nolan, add your own.

[Gators312]

Does anyone know firsthand if the HUD OIG was alerted to the activities of Ms. Scott and the COJ, or if it was just the local office who was notified? 

[sheclown]

We are working with the local office. We did talk to the DC HUD office but with the dept which handles section 106 reviews not the OIG

[Noone]

5 hours out. This will be in Rules this morning at 9am 1st floor in council chambers. Anyone going? 2014-215 is the legislation. Councilman Warren Jones is the Chair. The agenda meeting is at 8:30 4th floor.

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us

[sheclown]

yes, PSOS will be there

[strider]

Two of us did go to the Rules meeting this morning.  The council members present were reminded of the issues that have been raised by PSOS and that the purpose of opposing this appointment is to insure that Jacksonville begin making sure that the appointees are properly vetted, are indeed qualified and are competent to do the job. Ms. Scott is not the right person for this job for multiple reasons.  We are simply hoping that the city council recognizes that only through better and truly competent appointees in these important positions we can then have hope for a better run Jacksonville.

[sheclown]

Two of us did go to the Rules meeting this morning.  The council members present were reminded of the issues that have been raised by PSOS and that the purpose of opposing this appointment is to insure that Jacksonville begin making sure that the appointees are properly vetted, are indeed qualified and are competent to do the job. Ms. Scott is not the right person for this job for multiple reasons.  We are simply hoping that the city council recognizes that only through better and truly competent appointees in these important positions we can then have hope for a better run Jacksonville.

^ I love that guy.

[JaxUnicorn]

I thought the meeting started at 8:30 and when I arrived the Council chamber was empty.  Apparently they discuss the agenda at 8:30 and the actual committee convenes at 9:00.  When I arrived in Conference Room A, the meeting had already ended, but I was able to speak to CM Jones.  Asked if Kim Scott's appointment would be on today's agenda.  It was then that I learned that the committee does not even talk about upcoming items until after the 2nd reading, which is what today was.  I asked when the public hearing would be held and was told that there is no public hearing on Resolutions, which is what Kim Scott's appointment is.  Only opportunity to speak is during public comments.  He also told me that the committee would be voting on this on April 14, 2014.

I attended the committee meeting along with Joe Markusic.  Both of us spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.  I pointed out that Kimberly Scott does not meet the qualifications in the reorganization ordinance, and based on that should not be confirmed.  I then outlined the numerous violations of varying regulations from the EPA's NESHAP (asbestos) to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966. 

• Confirmed EPA NESHAP violations in June, 2011
  
  
  
  • Violations discovered and reported by COJ's Environmental Quality Division
  • COJ Enforcement discretion used June 30, 2011 to not fine MCCD for EPA violations
• Confirmed REPEAT violations of EPA's NESHAP documented
  
  
  
  • Demolition of 129 East 2nd Street, May 2013
  • Demolition of 253 East 2nd Street, June, 2013
• Evidence of multiple forged DEP Form 62-257.900(1) documents


• Notice of Demolition or Asbestos Renovation
• Environmental Quality Division investigating forms as of May, 2013
• Multiple violations of NHPA's Section 106 review process (requires Section 106 reviews prior to demolition)
  
  
  
  • Documented proof that upwards of $500,000 in NSP funding used to demolish homes will have to be returned to the federal government

[strider]

http://www.coj.net/city-council/city-council-meetings-online/2014-council-video-archive.aspx#Rules

Begins at 28:00