by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Duval Legislative Delegation members will support two local bills, including one related to the Ethics Code, in the upcoming legislative session.
The delegation met Friday. Nine of the 11 local legislative representatives voted whether to take up the local bills, referred to locally as J-Bills, that are designed to operate in a specific area and become local law when passed by the Florida Legislature and not vetoed by the governor.
The most discussed of the five submitted measures was J-Bill 6, relating to returning an Ethics Code to the City’s Charter.
City Council unanimously approved a similar measure in November. The J-Bill was submitted before that vote in the event it was defeated.
“We hear constantly that we cannot be trusted,” said council member Glorious Johnson, speaking to the Duval Delegation in support of J-Bill 6. “It is time for us to show the people (that) we truly serve them and not ourselves.”
Johnson originally proposed J-Bill 1 regarding ethics, which was withdrawn and replaced by the council ordinance that was approved.
An approved amendment to the J-Bill changed the language to exclude the Beaches communities and Baldwin from the measure because legal issues could arise, said State Rep. Charles McBurney, who said he consulted with City Ethics Officer Carla Miller.
The delegation also will take up J-Bill 3 regarding the creation of a special “Urban Transition Zone” in the Riverside area that would provide exceptions for space and seating requirements for liquor licenses.
The bill would replace the current requirements of 150 seats and 2,500 square feet of service area with 100 seats and 1,800 square feet.
The zone boundaries would be Margaret Street to the west, Dellwood Avenue and Interstate 95 to the north and northeast and the St. Johns River to the south and southeast.
Restaurateur Allan DeVault, speaking on behalf of the submission, said it would help revitalization efforts.
Another widely discussed submission, J-Bill 2, was deferred. It related to the power of the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund board to invest up to 25 percent of pension assets, at cost, in fixed real estate. Currently, the board is allowed to invest up to 20 percent of such assets.
Fund Executive Director John Keane lobbied for support of the measure. He said the increase would bring the total to that allowed under state statutes, although plans weren’t to invest at the potential 25 percent maximum.
Following criticisms from two members of the public, State Sen. Steve Wise asked colleagues if the issue was premature, given that the Legislature would be looking at the pension issue at the state level.
Duval Delegation members voted to defer the measure, with State Sen. John Thrasher reminding the group they could reconvene on the issue if needed at a later date.
Two measures that received little discussion, J-Bill 4 and J-Bill 5, both failed to yield a sponsor and died.
J-Bill 4 would amend the City charter to add a policy regarding government transparency. J-Bill 5 related to the timing of veto power of the mayor in approved ordinances and resolutions.
“I don’t think there were really any surprises,” said Thrasher, Duval Delegation chair. “The ethics bill obviously received some attention.”
The day before the meeting, several delegation members heard issues facing seniors during an annual forum at the Main Library Downtown.
A common theme was a call for more home and community-based services as opposed to nursing homes. Advocates said such services reduce costs to the state and appeal more to seniors in need of the care.
“It’s important for not just the cost, but people really, really just want to stay in their homes,” said Larry Polivka, Claude Pepper Center scholar in residence and forum keynote speaker.
The center, based at Florida State University, focuses on research, training and advocacy for activities designed to enhance the retirement security and well-being of senior citizens.
Polivka discussed both the cost effectiveness and results associated with expanding community-based programs for long-term care.
In light of an expected $3.6 billion state budget shortfall, advocates called for expansion of community-based programs.
356-2466