by David Chapman
Staff Writer
City Council, in its last meeting of the Council year, voted on several pieces of high-profile legislation Tuesday night, but perhaps the headliner heading into the full meeting – a pension reform deal for police and fire members – will have to wait.
Council postponed the measure that proponents claim will save the City more than $700 million over 35 years by altering different retirement aspects for new hires after Oct 1.
Proposed changes include retirement after 25 years of service, up from 20 years, new rules for Deferred Retirement Option Plan participation and cost-of-living adjustments, among others.
The Council met as a committee of the whole last week and passed a substitute measure that then needed approval from the Police and Fire Pension Fund board of trustees, the City’s negotiating partner in the deal.
The board signed a resolution to approve the substitute’s framework, said Kerri Stewart, City chief administrative officer, but offered technical amendments.
The delay comes from waiting for confirmation from the state on actuarial reports on the measure’s effect on the pension plan.
The Council postponed voting on the measure until July 26. The new Council will take office Friday.
Another pension reform bill regarding general employees was passed 18-0.
Changes include increasing the retirement age to 60 from 55 years old and averaging the retirement benefit based on the highest five years of pay, up from three, among several changes.
Proponents claim the two measures will save the City more than $1 billion over 35 years.
Much debated at the committee level, a measure to approve a 14-parcel land swap between the City and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, was amended to include just the three parcels needed to build a new Greyhound station near the Osborn Center.
The original agreement called for the City to provide the land in lieu of a $5 million contribution it allotted in the Capital Improvement Plan for a regional transportation hub.
The amendment to transfer just the three parcels was offered by incoming Council Vice President Bill Bishop, who said he thought the project was a good idea for both Downtown and the region but that the deal needed further vetting given its overall complexity.
Other Council members said they didn’t want to see the project broken up.
The amended measure passed 13-5. The rest of the land parcels in the land swap will be discussed by the next Council.
Two measures that assist EverBank relocate Downtown were passed during the 5 1/2 hour meeting.
The first was an economic development agreement between the City and company to relocate 1,000 jobs Downtown from the Southside and create 200 new full-time jobs.
Under the agreement for a Qualified Target Industry program tax rebate, the City will provide $420,000 and the state will refund $1.68 million after the company creates and verifies the 200 jobs. It passed 18-1, with Council member Clay Yarborough in opposition.
A separate piece of legislation that would give EverBank $2.75 million to offset moving costs from the suburbs to Downtown was met with more criticism, but passed 15-4 with Council members Richard Clark, John Crescimbeni, Bishop and Yarborough opposing.
Before the vote, Bishop led the discussion and said it pained him to vote “no” but he believed that taxpayer dollars were better served as an incentive to lure companies from outside the region to come to Jacksonville.
“That’s fair game in the world of business,” said Bishop.
Council President-elect Stephen Joost was one of a few who stood to support the bill and said Council has to “look at the big picture” of Downtown vacancy rates and the economy.
After being vetted in committees, Council also approved a $50 court cost surcharge on felonies, misdemeanors and criminal traffic infractions that will help to fund Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. The surcharge will not be applied to those within 200 percent of the federal poverty limit.
The measure was opposed by judges but had several vocal proponents in the Council, including its sponsor, Council member Kevin Hyde, and Council member Glorious Johnson.
JALA faces an anticipated $1 million budget shortfall, said Michael Figgins, JALA executive director. He said the money from the surcharge will help fill the gap. The measure has a sunset provision in five years.
Before the vote, Hyde, managing partner of Foley & Lardner’s Jacksonville office, told his colleagues that JALA often is on the opposite side of the courtroom against his firm.
He said he has been questioned about why he is such a strong advocate for the measure and JALA. He said the services the organization provides are invaluable to those who need it.
“You have the right to go to court and be defended,” said Hyde. “Both sides have a right to go.”
The measure passed 15-4 with opposing votes by Clark, Doyle Carter, Ronnie Fussell and Art Shad.
In another decision, Monroe Street in front of the new Duval County Courthouse will remain open after Council shot down a measure with a 6-12 vote that would close the street.
Council members Fussell, Hyde, Johnson, Reggie Brown, Don Redman and Council President Jack Webb all voted to keep the street open. Those who wanted to close the street cited safety concerns and beautification efforts among their reasons.
An ordinance for a new landfill on Otis Road on the Westside drew the largest audience and most heated public discussion. Speakers spent about two hours stating their stands for and against the measure.
The landfill will be used for construction and demolition debris only.
Public speakers in favor of the bill cited it as a job creator and a needed facility in the event of a hurricane or other catastrophe that would result in a need for a place for the debris.
Opponents, many who live in the area, argued that their quality of life, property values and safety would be compromised.
The measure was discharged from the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee and unanimously approved by Council 19-0.
Like the pension deal measure for police and fire, a wide-ranging bill that would require City employees to reside in Duval County was postponed, without discussion, for July 26.
The meeting was the last for several Council members and Mayor John Peyton’s administration. July 1 marks the beginning of the new Council year and the start of Mayor-elect Alvin Brown’s role as head of the executive branch.
Brown nor Peyton attended the meeting.
Several Council members took time at the end of Tuesday’s meeting to thank their seven departing colleagues and wish them well while also stating appreciation for members who return for a second term.
Each offered praise for Webb about his leadership, manner and humor during the year. Webb lost his bid for re-election.
“I thought you did an outstanding job,” said Crescimbeni, who admitted he is not one to often offer such praise.
In addition to Webb, other members leaving Council include Dick Brown, Michael Corrigan, Fussell, Hyde, Johnson and Shad.
After the meeting, Webb said he didn’t believe there were any real surprises in his final meeting and reflected on his time on Council.
“It’s been rewarding, it’s been humbling, it’s been challenging, it’s been frustrating,” he said. “But especially, the last three years have been a period of intense personal growth.”
Webb said he’d return full-time to his role as an attorney. He claimed the Council term was his last, but he didn’t deny a potential foray into another public office sometime in the future.
“Whatever life has in store for me,” he said.
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The legislation
from staff
City Council considered several significant measures Tuesday night. Here are the voting results on some of them.
West Monroe Street closure (2011-164, introduced at request of the mayor)
Background: A measure to close and abandon the right-of-way along West Monroe Street between Broad and Pearl streets. The portion of road is in front of the new Duval County Courthouse. Proponents of the measure wanted the closure to construct a pedestrian-friendly space in front of the new facility.
Prior action: Failed with 0-4 vote in Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee.
How they voted: Denied 6-12
Live here, work here (2011-276, introduced by Council member Reggie Brown)
Background: A measure to amend the City ordinance code to require all City employees hired Oct. 1, 2011, or later to live in Duval County. This includes appointees to City boards and commissions. Proponents cite the need to keep tax dollars, given to City employees through payroll, within the county and contributing to local property taxes and economy.
Prior action: Amended and approved 5-2 (opposing: Clark, Crescimbeni) in Rules Committee; Reconsidered, amended and approved 4-1 (opposing: Holt) in Finance Committee.
How they voted: Postponed to July 26
Supervisor of Elections Gateway office lease
Background: Ordinance is an interim lease extension between the City and Gateway Center Economic Development Partnership Ltd. to keep the Supervisor of Election’s Gateway office in its current building for another six months, with a month-to-month option held by the City after the six-month period. Monthly rent for the new agreement is $51,000, up from $49,000. Bill proponents say measure is a stopgap that safeguards the City while it looks at economical alternatives.
Prior action: Amended and approved 6-0 in Recreation and Community Development Committee; amended and approved 6-0 by Rules Committee; amended and approved 5-0 in Finance committee.
How they voted: Approved 15-3
EverBank-to-Downtown (2011-368, introduced at the request of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission)
Background: Ordinance that authorizes an economic development agreement between the City and EverBank, which would relocate the financial institution’s offices Downtown from the Southside. The move would include 1,000 relocated jobs and creation of 200 new full-time jobs. With the move, EverBank would receive a Qualified Targeted Industry tax refund of $420,000 from the City and $1.68 million from the state.
Prior action: Approved 7-0 in Rules Committee; approved 5-1 (opposing: Yarborough) in Recreation and Community Development Committee; approved 5-0 in Finance Committee.
How they voted: Approved 18-1
EverBank moving incentives (2011-369, introduced at the request of JEDC)
Background: Measure to support the EverBank-to-Downtown move by offering $2.75 million to the company to offset moving expenses. EverBank must first create 200 new full-time jobs and relocate a minimum of 1,000 jobs before it can receive the incentive and cannot claim it before Oct 1, 2012.
Prior action: Amended and approved 5-1 (opposing: Yarborough) in Recreation and Community Development Committee; reconsidered, amended and approved 4-1 (opposing Crescimbeni) in Finance.
How they voted: Approved 15-4
Enterprise Zone, Brownfield Redevelopment Area expansion resolution (2011-383, introduced at the request of JEDC)
Background: A resolution that authorizes submission of an application to the state for expansion of City’s Enterprise Zone and Brownfields Redevelopment Area by reclassifying 462 acres within the Imeson International Industrial Park by removing roadways and other undevelopable land. Companies that relocate or originate businesses within such zones receive additional incentives.
How they voted: Approved
JALA funding (2010-766, introduced by Council member Kevin Hyde)
Background: Ordinance would establish a $50 court cost on various felonies, misdemeanors and traffic citations, with monies going toward Jacksonville Area Legal Aid funding. The additional court cost would not be imposed on lawbreakers within 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Proponents claim that funding is needed due to state-level budget cuts; opponents claim it negatively affects many non-criminals already struggling to pay fees.
Prior action: Substituted and approved 7-0 by Rules Committee; substituted and approved 6-0 by Public Health and Safety Committee; substituted and approved 6-0 by Finance Committee.
How they voted: Approved 15-4
General employees’ pension reform (2011-399, introduced at the request of mayor)
Background: Ordinance code amendment that would alter pension plans for general employees and corrections officers hired on or after Oct. 1. Changes include definitions of “final monthly compensation,” full-time service retirement age and early retirement conditions among others. Combined with 2011-400, proponents claim measures will save City $1 billion over 35 years and is a start in pension reform. Critics claim the measure doesn’t do enough for current pension unfunded liability.
Prior action: Passed 10-5 (opposing Clark, Crescimbeni, Fussell, Lee, Reggie Brown) in committee as a whole.
How they voted: Approved 19-0
Police and fire pension reform (2011-400, introduced at request of mayor)
Background: Ordinance code amendment that would alter pension plans for police and fire members hired on or after Oct. 1, who will be labeled Group II employees. Changes for such employees include pension contributions of 8 percent of all salaries with exceptions, retirement age and years required to become vested and enter Deferred Retirement Option Plan among others. Combined with 2011-399, proponents claim measures will save the City $1 billion over 35 years. Critics claim the measure doesn’t do enough for current pension unfunded liability.
Prior action: Passed 10-5 (opposing: Clark, Crescimbeni, Fussell, Lee, Redman) in committee as a whole.
How they voted: Postponed to July 26
Otis Road landfill (2011-370, introduced by Council president)
Background: A measure to grant a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a landfill on Otis Road for construction wastes and debris, upon conditions. City Solid Waste Division supports approval. Proponents cite job creation and needed facility in event of catastrophe while opponents in area argue it negatively affects quality of life, safety and health.
Prior action: Deferred in Transportation, Energy and Utilities committee.
How they voted: Discharged from TEU 18-1, approved 19-0