• McGuireWoods LLP appointed Eric Bilik, a partner with the firm’s Complex Commercial Litigation Department, as the managing partner of the Jacksonville office. He succeeds partner Scott Cairns, who recently accepted a temporary assignment to work out of the firm’s London office.
• After more than an hour of debate on the Landing parking legislation, City Council Finance Committee members Thursday took action similar to the Rules Committee, approving a June 30 deadline to close the deal. Representatives from the City and Landing discussed proposed changes, with no conclusion. Finance Chair Warren Jones suggested a workshop between the parties and others over the next 30 days.
• Also, the Finance Committee approved a $300,000 Qualified Targeted Industry tax refund for PLS Logistics Services to create a super regional headquarters in Jacksonville that would create 100 jobs. The City’s portion is $60,000.
• Legislation to move the Public Defender’s Office to the Jake Godbold Annex was approved, but a couple of finance members, John Crescimbeni and Michael Corrigan, said they will not support the move during Tuesday’s council meeting. Crescimbeni, who attended to fill a quorum, said the move was an unnecessary expense. Corrigan said he approved it in finance to move it to council, but was not inclined to support it.
• Also, legislation that would have have appropriated $40,000 from the City’s Environmental Protection Fund for a Low Impact Design competition for Hemming Plaza was approved for withdrawal. Originally, $15,000 was to be used for contest awards with $25,000 marked for publicity. It was marked as deferred on the original agenda Tuesday.
• The Tourist Development Council Thursday approved a $10,000 grant for Lady Law Entertainment, the production company producing the pilot episode of “Lipstick Justice.” The show, scheduled for broadcast on the Lifetime cable network, is the story of a group of female attorneys in Jacksonville.
• More about Lipstick Justice. Asked why the grant request amounted to more than four times the usual amount per room night allowed by the council, Lady Law representative Jason Roeser said the crew would be spending money after working hours on more than just hotel rooms. “They’re from L.A. and they drink a lot of beer,” he told the council, citing a $6,000 bar tab at Applebee’s during a previous visit to Jacksonville.
• The Tourist Development Council also approved a $50,000 grant for the May 26-29 Jacksonville Jazz Festival, double the grant for the 2010 festival. The funds will be used for a social media and Internet marketing campaign designed and managed by the Dalton Agency.
• And one more. The Tourist Development Council approved a $50,000 grant to defray costs of venue rental and marketing for the “Global Day of Prayer” June 11 at the Arena. It’s the first time the event has come to the United States and three hours of the service will be broadcast live worldwide on God TV and Trinity Broadcasting Network, said Charles Christie, an event organizer.