by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
City Council President-elect Kevin Hyde won’t be sworn in until the end of the month, though an indication of how he will lead the Council has surfaced. Hyde, an attorney, introduced legislation this week that could alter the makeup of the Council’s standing committees.
According to the bill, the Public Health, Safety and Utilities Committee will likely be dropped. Five additional committees could be restructured and renamed to denote any changes.
Council member Suzanne Jenkins said she and others were approached by Hyde earlier this year to discuss any changes that may be ahead. She said
she has no problems with what’s being proposed.
“It’s the president’s call,” Jenkins said. “We talked about it and I think it’s fine. I’m prepared to support him.”
Here are the changes Hyde has proposed. The Council will vote on them on June 28.
Recreation and Community Development Committee: Under the new structure it will be renamed the Economic, Community and International Development Committee. The committee will still review bills related to recreation and public housing and buildings, though it will also be responsible for monitoring international trade and travel issues, The Sister Cities program and the Jacksonville Housing Authority.
Transportation, Environment and Energy Committee: According to Hyde’s legislation, it will become the Transportation, Utilities and Safety Committee. Fair share assessments, roads and streets and various transportation issues will still go before the committee, though water supply issues and preservation concerns will not. Matters related to the Public Works Department, environmental services, JEA, ambulances and vehicles for hire will become new responsibilities for the committee.
Government Performance, Audit, Technology and Education: A new committee last year, GPATE will likely evolve into the Government Operations, Oversight and Human Services Committee. The brainchild of Council member Suzanne Jenkins, the committee largely served as a think tank and sounding board for a variety of City issues last year. In addition to serving in that capacity, it will now be charged with monitoring hospitals, welfare and bills before the Florida Legislature.
Military Affairs and International Development Committee: Designed by Council member Lad Daniels in anticipation of Base Realignment and Closure, MAID reviewed matters related to military bases, personnel and affairs, veterans and international trade and travel. All international issues will be referred to the newly developed Economic, Community and International Development Committee.
Land Use and Zoning Committee: Its name won’t change, but the scope of its duties will slightly expand. In addition to reviewing matters related to zoning, building codes, real estate and Planning Commission decisions, LUZ will also be charged with monitoring growth management, preservation and conservation as well as land and water supply issues.
The Finance and Rules Committees are expected to endure little or no reorganization.