by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Incoming City Council president Elaine Brown isn’t expected to name new standing committee chairs for at least another week. However, one new committee and its chair has already been announced.
Brown will create a Super Bowl Committee that may meet as often as every two weeks. Vice President-elect Kevin Hyde will serve as its chair.
“We had been discussing this option long before we were even elected,” said Hyde of the committee. “We just felt we could serve as another support system to what’s already been put in place here in Jacksonville. We’re not here to add another layer.
“The Super Bowl is the signature event happening here next year and we have to be sure we execute it properly and maximize on all of the long term economic opportunities.”
No legislation is expected to be introduced or reviewed by the committee.
“I wouldn’t think so. That’s not really its purpose,” said Hyde. “If it wasn’t already in place we would have done something similar to the Super Bowl overlay zone, but again, I think we’ll be serving two primary purposes, one of which is to make sure we address any potential problems as they come up before the game.”
Hyde said a “briefing” from the Super Bowl Host Committee will likely precede the first meeting.
“But actually, we’ll probably meet more after it’s over,” he said. “That’s when I’d expect us to be more proactive and work with the Chamber to see what kind of opportunities they’ve identified for the City.”
Hyde said the remainder of the committee had “not yet been decided” and declined to speculate on any possibilities. He did, however, say “we want to include people whose districts play an important role.”
“But it really will be at Elaine’s discretion,” he said.