by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Last year, the dockage fees at Metropolitan Park generated $58,700. So far this year, $19,000 has been collected. The problem is, that money is sitting in the Metro Park general fund and not in the Metro Park Trust Fund.
City Council member and Jacksonville Waterways Commission Chair Lynette Self plans to change that — and soon.
“I would like to change the legislation so those funds will go into the Metro Park Trust Fund,” said Self at Thursday’s Waterways Commission meeting. Kelley Boree, the deputy director of the Parks, Recreation, Entertainment & Conservation Department, said the current ordinance on the books requires the fees generated during special events at or near the park go into the general fund. Self said there was debate about whether to charge the fee at all, but once the decision was made she expected the money to go into the trust fund to help pay for maintenance and upgrades to the docks.
“Unfortunately, those dollars did not go directly into the Metro Park Trust Fund. They went into the general fund and that is not what I expected,” said Self. “These funds should be used to improve that dock. That was the goal, that was the intent of the ordinance.”
Self said she will make sure amending the ordinance is on the next Waterways Commission meeting agenda.
Other news from the meeting:
• The channel dredging project at Goodby’s Creek is complete and everyone is pleased with the work on the channel. However, either because of the project or natural causes or a combination of the two, about half a dozen residents on the creek are unable to access the channel due to the silt built up between their docks and the channel.
“My understanding is there is an issue with the residents,” said Self. “They are silted in.”
John Pappas of the City’s engineering department said the project has been completed by the contractor per the channel requirements.
“There have been complaints from residents that material under their docks has created a worse condition than before the dredging,” said Pappas. “We are meeting Friday (today) with residents and we are bringing the contractor in also.”
Pappas said two of the issues that will make correcting the problem in the near future urgent are getting a permit and the fact manatee season has arrived.
• The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office marine division has completed its boater safety brochure. The brochure has been approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Organization and will be mailed to every registered boater in Jacksonville. There are approximately 32,000 registered boaters in the area and enough brochures will be produced so that they can be handed out at boat shows and other marine-related events.
• Repairs to the Northbank Riverwalk are in a bit of holding pattern. Joey Duncan, the director of Public Works, said the contract to remove the 16-ton planters along the Riverwalk will go out to bid April 25. Duncan said the planters will be demolished on site, removed and likely recycled.
He also said the City is seeking a contractor to make permanent repairs on the pilings in front of the Hyatt and the courthouse. Right after Christmas, damage to the Riverwalk was discovered in front of the Hyatt. After an inspection by divers, it was determined that many of the pilings in that area of the Riverwalk were damaged to some extent.
“We are hoping to start the repair work in July,” said Duncan, adding it should be done by late October. “The Riverwalk will have full walking traffic by the (Oct. 27) Florida-Georgia game.”
Duncan said the original Riverwalk and pilings were built between 1958 and 1962. Since discovering the damage, all 2,000 pilings have been inspected. A report on the condition of those pilings is due Sunday.
“The pilings report may not be as bad as we originally thought,” said Duncan, adding that could save the City money on the overall repair job. He also said an inspection of the full length of the bulkhead is currently taking place. “Proposals are being put together by our consultant about what to do about each piling. Some may not need any work, others may need extensive restoration.”
In addition to repairing the Riverwalk, Duncan said the City is looking to improve the overall look. The palms in the planters are gone, but he assured the Commission the Riverwalk will retain green areas and shady areas. A committee has been formed to look into exactly how to keep the Riverwalk open while creating greenspace.
“We will do all of the work at the same time,” said Duncan.