JEA Board to Consider Mass Layoffs/Privitization

[Tacachale]

Even better....JEA moved the next round of presentations to Atlanta

https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20191207/jea-moves-sales-talks-to-atlanta-draft-document-shows-sales-pitch-given-to-interested-buyers

JEA says it's to make it easier for international attendees. The ATL-JAX flight is almost hourly from 6am to midnight. So basically these companies who are considering making a multi billion dollar investment can't have a connecting flight?

What a clown show. It's hard to believe they can't figure out early on how bad the optics of the things they keep doing are and how it takes away whatever credibility is left of the process.

Do they care about the optics, though? From talking to my family and friends who live in Jax, the privatization of JEA (and the subsequent raising of rates) is a foregone conclusion. Is nobody up in arms over it? If nobody cares enough to raise a stink, then JEA certainly doesn't care about the optics. I mean, the optics of a barren grass lot where one of Jacksonville's trademark riverfront buildings once stood are terrible but... well, there we go.

I completely disagree it's a foregone conclusion. I bet if council voted today, they'd vote no.

Certainly not a foregone conclusion at this point, and yes, people are up in arms. I don't see the council supporting this going to a vote if it came out today or soon. Doesn't mean that the leadership will back down, however.

[Charles Hunter]

One of the things the JEA Board Chair said, was that she was going to meet one-on-one with Council members. Who knows what will go on in those meetings? If only one Council member is present, and only one JEA Board member, the meeting does not have to be "public."

[realestatejax]

The more digging the press does, the dirtier this whole thing looks..

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/jeas-law-firms-billing-utility-more-than-what-they-are-contractually-allowed

[Charles Hunter]

How can JEA approve invoices above the "not to exceed" amount?
Take the money from Zahn's pay package.

[J Random Sucker]

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/jeas-law-firms-billing-utility-more-than-what-they-are-contractually-allowed

Is there some problem with comprehending "Not To Exceed?"  Hey, bill all you want, but your contract says $X, and that's all you'll be paid.

Now, if some functionary said "Hey, go ahead with that additional work, no problem getting paid," then those feet need to be held to the fire.

[Tacachale]

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/jeas-law-firms-billing-utility-more-than-what-they-are-contractually-allowed

Is there some problem with comprehending "Not To Exceed?"  Hey, bill all you want, but your contract says $X, and that's all you'll be paid.

Now, if some functionary said "Hey, go ahead with that additional work, no problem getting paid," then those feet need to be held to the fire.

It's almost like there are people in high profile positions at JEA who really need to go or something.

[Papa33]

if "shall" = "may" then "not to" = "may" (at least that's what we will get through a "binding legal opinion" from the GC's office).

[Snaketoz]

Is there a detailed expose' anywhere that documents the arrival and installing Zahn to head JEA?

[J Random Sucker]

Here's another local story on the overbilling

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2019/12/11/laywers-lobbyists-benefit-from-jea-sales-talk/

[jaxlongtimer]

Just in today's news alone:

JEA CEO in bed with JEA contracted lobbyist in land deal with no disclosure of conflicts of interest:
https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20191212/jea-ceo-aaron-zahn-utility-lobbyist-are-partners-in-westside-land-deal

Civic Council calls for ending JEA sales negotiations:
https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20191212/jacksonville-civic-council-calls-for-ending-jea-sales-negotiations

JEA management violated Board dictate and created deception in advancing privatization steps prior to Board approval:
https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20191211/nate-monroe-documents-timeline-common-sense-make-it-clear-mdash-jea-execs-deceived-public

No way JEA sale goes forward at this point.  Even the Curry-owned City Council will need to vote for the resolution calling for the end to the selling process. If JEA ignores the resolution, again, the Council will have a hard time voting a sale through.  If the Council dares to pass it, it surely will not pass with the electorate.

Zahn has been self serving, deceitful, a schemer and grossly incompetent at JEA, all to serve his master, Mayor Curry.  The JEA Board looks foolish and grossly negligent and derelict in its oversight role.  Looks like they are all about to crash and burn together given no one remaining (one JEA board member smartly resigned this week) either has resigned/backed away from this wretched fiasco.  Only question is will any Council members be fool enough to also get on board this sinking ship.

Kudos to the Times Union for their outstanding coverage and investigative reporting.  Hope they win awards for it.

[Papa33]

News4jax is reporting that Lyin' Lenny is floating the idea of making JEA a city department controlled by the mayor and city council.  It's obvious alll Lenny wants is to liquidate JEA assets to use for his pet projects, including lLot J.

[thelakelander]

Wow, I can't keep up with all this JEA stuff. This is ridiculous. Oh, and keep Lenny's hands as far away from the JEA cookie jar as possible.

[jaxlongtimer]

News4jax is reporting that Lyin' Lenny is floating the idea of making JEA a city department controlled by the mayor and city council.  It's obvious alll Lenny wants is to liquidate JEA assets to use for his pet projects, including lLot J.

Here is the link to the News4Jax story: https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2019/12/12/mayor-has-another-option-for-jea-let-city-take-over-utility/

Here is the gist of it:

"I believe City Council has always had the authority to determine the next steps of the strategic planning process, but they have demonstrated they want to exercise this authority sooner with more flexibility," Curry wrote. "Then, ultimately, the Council can also consider whether one option is sent to a ballot or if multiple options are sent to a ballot for voters consideration."

He said that wasn't necessarily his favorite option, but it was something that should be considered.

"I believe City Council has always had the authority to determine the next steps of the strategic planning process, but they have demonstrated they want to exercise this authority sooner with more flexibility," Curry wrote. "Then, ultimately, the Council can also consider whether one option is sent to a ballot or if multiple options are sent to a ballot for voters consideration."

Can you say "trying to save face" or "back pedaling" or "leaving the JEA Board adrift" or "looking for a graceful way out of a giant hole."  No matter, I don't think many will ever forgive him for this or so many other unpopular decisions he has made while giving the finger to anyone who disagrees with him, however so slightly.

And this phrase especially rings hollow:  "I believe City Council has always had the authority to determine the next steps of the strategic planning process..."  Yeah, sure, as long has the City Council kowtows to his every whim, he believes it.  He has never once complained publicly about the City Council being left in the dark about this process.  Of course, because he figured they would be a rubber stamp for him, as they have pretty much been so to date, so why bother.  Guess he pushed their buttons one too many times on this one.

[Charles Hunter]

"Multiple options on the ballot"? Really?  Sounds like a way to get a "win" for the option with the best-funded campaign (sale); assuming it would only require a plurality of the vote, and not a true majority.

So, NO!

[Steve]

Sounds like he's trying to save this. I definitely don't feel like Council is cooperating with him on this one. He knows if he just advocates pulling it, then he failed.

I still think it's a stupid idea.