Argyle Area Civic Council

Minutes of the AACC Meeting Monday, June 17, 2013 at Denny's Restaurant

MINUTES OF THE ARGYLE AREA CIVIC COUNCIL
Held on Monday, June 17, 2013 at 7:30 P.M.
Denny's Restaurant, 8409 Blanding Boulevard
Jacksonville, Florida 32244

PRESENT: Bill Lewis, President; Tom Dumas, V.P, Al Durant, Treasurer; Jim Kelly, Recording Secretary; Thomas R. Martin; David Hodges, Marie Splane, John Draper,   Kevin Kuzel, Dist. 14, (7:46);  Joe Andrews (7:55) Jim Love Dist. 14 (8:03)

1. Call to Order 7:40 pm

2. Approval of Minutes: David Hodges/Tom Martin

3. Transportation Discussion – David Hodges

1. More than 20 Street lights are burned out on Argyle Forest Blvd. to Cheswick Oaks. Is JEA even noticing?
2. Tom Martin sent JEA an email logging out lights by pole number.
3. David Hodges wrote down pole numbers including some on Blanding north of I-295.
4. Hodges believes some problems going south-bound on Collins creating dangerous crossovers and the same at Blanding on ramp.  Crossing traffic interference with exiting and on ramping.
5. Collector-distributor now open to Roosevelt; New off ramp goes all the way down to Roosevelt east bound from Blanding.

4. New discussion transportation:

            a. Bill Joyce, city engineer,  wrote an email to Kevin Kuzel explaining how speeds were designed and set for Argyle Forest Blvd.

            b. All agree Joyce and Pappas are professionals and easy to work with.

            c. Kevin Kuzel advises possible delay in office communications next week due to new carpet installation.

            d. also, Jim Love will be on vacation; back first part of July.

            f. JEA is working on fixing the sewer smell at the AFB Lakes. Looking at every aspect, thoroughly searching for a solution.

            g. Kuzel: Still looking for way to widen Cheswick Oaks to Scott Mill Rd.

            h. Kuzel: has reported over growth, weeds etc. for trimming to start soon.

5. Kevin Kuzel briefs Jim Love on what has been discussed to this moment.

            A, discussion continues on how money was obtained to widen the Cheswick Oaks intersection. Joint project County and Federal money used.

6. Councilman Jim Love Dist. 14 Transportation, Energy, utilities, Rules, Public Health and Safety Committees speaks

            a. Jim Love to meet with Mayor on Thursday; subject not yet clear. Could be pension or overall budget.

            b. Budget: Looking a t Mayor’s budget proposal: $58 million in cuts; consequences include closing six libraries.

            c. Love explains complexity of the budget and how much and when the city will save from the new contract with fire and police. Too early to nail down any decisions.

d. Council being told it is up to them whether the deposit is $58 million and closing libraries and other services to elderly and community or $12 if they just go along with the Mayor’s clandestine negotiations.

e. Discussion on possible illegal spending on City vehicles using borrowed money to make those purchases.

f. Love predicts easier decisions on budget for next couple of years.

g. Discussion: how will FT-U lawsuit affect city contract negotiations? Concerned taxpayers are watching this according to some.  Likely Federal mediation in the shade will be decided on legality in the future. Could be complicated.

h. Cindy Laquadara:  Schellenburg and Gulliford will meet to discuss her loyalties. City is hiring legislative lawyer pass for this pension legislation deal.

Temp. hire; due diligence being done by the city.

i. Discussion on Municipal solid waste rules to be decided; Compressed gas for vehicles and whether big cans overflowing is making the city roadways dirtier because no one is picking up overflow – just left on Neighborhood streets.

j. Report Joe Andrews: Rules committee meeting was contentious; lots of drama as it appears a marginally qualified candidate – an acquaintance with the Mayor – was sent to City Council to be approved without proper vetting, selection procedure.

k. Love Chairs first Transportation Electricity and Utilities committee meeting.

7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

            a. Hodges: With economy recovering now is a good time to invite commercial property owners to visit AACC. Need to contact and motivate Homeowner’s Association to attend /participate/get involved.

            b. Better Jacksonville Plan: Still $153 million in projects to be completed. One of those is the Paramore Rd. extension which needs to be high on the priority list; Dumas partners is negotiating with a national big box who is very interested but becoming impatient. Does the Mayor just not care? This project would encourage collection of $1.5 million in taxes.

            C. Kuzel encourages Dumas to talk with new City Council President Bill Gulliford.

            d. Discussion: Legality of meeting with more than one council person; depending on type of meeting may result in minutes being taken or not.

            e. AACC and city council need to bring light to this project before an expensive project leading to revenue producing taxes and neighborhood growth.

            f. Distress is mounting because meeting with the Mayor is nearly impossible.

8. Communications and Web Site - Bill Lewis

9. Home Owners Association President Meeting - Bill Lewis

10. Grant Writing Committee

11. Landscaping Committee

12. Treasurer's Report – $282.26  $14.74 = 297.00

13.       Old Business

            a. Get something done now with the Dumas project.

14.   New Business

1. Encourage other abutting Council districts to attend and discuss the future of the Westside.

Transmittal – Paramour jobs would bring state FDOT grants etc. Community block development funds may be available – Dumas can’t reach Mayor so far. Must get Mayor; this change is only of benefit to everyone; Get potential user to get the road built

 

15.  Motion to Adjourn: Jim Kelly/Al Durant

 Respectfully Submitted: Jim Kelly

 It has been a pleasure to serve Argyle Area Civic Council. Thank you for the honor of allowing me to contribute. Jim Kelly