Breaking ground on transportation center
Representatives from the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization and Florida Department of Transportation District 2 broke ground on a $9 million, 25,000-square-foot Regional Transportation Management Center. The facility will be at the State Regional Service Center Complex at 930 N. Jefferson St. The project is being funded with federal dollars. Construction should take about a year. The operations center staff from the Florida Highway Patrol, transportation department and partner agencies from Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties will be housed there. Those who took part in the groundbreaking were (from left): Pete Vega, department intelligent transportation systems engineer; Doug Conkey, Clay County commissioner and Clay Chamber president; Lt. Col. Ernesto Duarte, Florida Highway Patrol; Mike Borno, TPO vice chair; Jeff Sheffield, TPO executive director; Nancy Sikes-Kline, TPO chairwoman; state Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville; Danny Leeper, outgoing TPO chair; and Greg Evans, Department of Transportation District 2 secretary.
Three Ethics Commission committees schedule meetings
As part of its 2014 plans, the City Ethics Commission has scheduled meetings next week for its Education, Legislative, and Transparency and Open Government subcommittees. The meetings will be in Conference Room 2C at City Hall. The education group will meet at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 29, followed by the transparency panel at 12:30 p.m. The legislative subcommittee will meet at 4 p.m. Jan. 30. Each agenda includes a discussion of goals for the year. For information, call (904) 630-4747.
4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission to meet
The 4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission will have a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at McGuireWoods, 50 N. Laura St. The notice says the group will consider the adoption of local rules and any other business. There are two vacancies in the circuit: one caused by Circuit Judge Jean Johnson's death, the other from the confirmation of Circuit Judge Brian Davis to the Middle District of Florida. The panel will consider those vacancies at a later meeting.
JTA route relocates
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority's X4 northbound bus stop on Park Avenue just before Wells Road in Orange Park will be temporarily relocated to a nearby site because of sidewalk construction. The temporary change began Monday and will continue through the construction duration. For more information, visit jtafla.com.
JAX Chamber annual meeting Thursday…
The 129th meeting of the JAX Chamber will be 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday at the organization's International Plaza, 3 Independent Drive. Food and drinks from 12 local restaurants and entertainment from a live band will be part of the event. Cost for members is $55 per ticket or $450 for 10. Non-members are $70 per ticket or $700 for 10. For ticket information, call Jacqui Lowe at (904) 366-6600, ext. 7787.
… and Small Business Breakfast is Friday
The JAX Chamber's sold-out Small Business Breakfast is 7:30-9 a.m. Friday at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Ben Davis, Intuition Ale Works owner, will be the keynote speaker. The "Small Business Leader of the Year" will be named.
Major League Soccer returning to EverBank Field next month
The Philadelphia Union's partnership with the city continues next month at EverBank Field when the Major League Soccer team takes on the New York Red Bulls. The preseason match kicks off at 6 p.m. Feb 12. Both squads will have an open training session Feb. 11 and the Union will host a free youth clinic at the open practices. Time and a location have not been confirmed. It is the second consecutive year the Union has played in Jacksonville, following last year's match against the Montreal Union.
Jacksonville Children's Commission needs staff to help at meal sites
The Jacksonville Children's Commission is seeking seasonal staff to provide meal service assistance during the Summer Lunch Program. Site aides, supervisors and monitors are needed, with wages ranging from $7.99 to $10.14 an hour. For job descriptions, requirements and online applications, visit coj.net/departments/employee-services.aspx.
Scott reappoints Wortman to Citizens Insurance board
Gov. Rick Scott has reappointed John Wortman to the board of governors for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Wortman, of Ponte Vedra, is a consultant with Wortman Capital Associates and has nearly five decades of experience in the insurance industry. His term ends July 31, 2016. The board oversees the not-for-profit, tax-exempt government corporation whose public purpose is to provide insurance protection to Florida property owners.
Keep Jacksonville Beautiful celebrates 31st anniversary
Keep Jacksonville Beautiful will host a fundraiser at 6 p.m. Thursday as part of its 31st anniversary. The event at City Hall will honor City Council member Jim Love for his environmental achievements and recognize sponsors, volunteers and organizations for cleanup and beautification efforts. Love will be presented the Jake Godbold Award for his service to the community. For more information, visit coj.net.
Clean Fuels Coalition meeting Feb. 4
The North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition will meet from 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 4 at the University of North Florida Herbert University Center. The meeting will focus on developing the Alternative Fuels Master Plan to guide future investments. The nonprofit coalition is working to bring more viable alternative fuels and energy-efficient vehicles to the region. It serves business, government and nonprofit groups in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. For more information, vist firstcoastmpo.com/clean_cities.
First Coast Apartment Association installs board
The First Coast Apartment Association has named its board of directors for 2014, led by President Brian Davies of WRH Realty Services. Laura Hulsey of The Carling and 11 East will be vice president. Jeff Jackson of Sherwin-Williams is associate vice president. Katie Wrenn of Milestone Management is treasurer and Sharon Steffen of 54 Magnolia is secretary. Glenn Evers of MAA is the past president. Founded in 1979, the association serves the apartment industry in Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties.