JACKSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL

RESEARCH DIVISION

 

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

NOVEMBER 19, 2007

2:00 P.M.

 

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER

1st floor, City Hall

117 W. Duval Street

 

 

Attendance: Chairman Shad, Committee Members Hyde, Graham, Clark, Jabour and Joost

Excused: Council Member Lee

 

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m.

 

At the beginning of the meeting, City Director of Administration and Finance Mickey Miller made a brief presentation and asked the Committee’s approval of 4 additional firms - Income Research and Management, Federated Investors, Western Asset Management, and Payden & Rygel - as “specialty risk managers” to invest limited portions of the City’s portfolio in higher-risk investments for increased return potential  After a brief discussion the committee deferred the matter until the next meeting to give members a chance to ask questions of the administration and review the specialty risk investment parameters.

 

Item/File No.

Title/History

 

 

1.  2005-1007

ORD Concerning Benefits Pertaining to Gen Employees Pension Plan, Chapt 120, Part II & Create New SubSec (J) in Sec 120.206 Providing that an Active Mbr who has completed 20 Yrs or more Credited Svc, regardless of age, may elect to retire & receive mbr's normal retiremt benefit, which shall be determined by multiplying 2% of Mbr's number of yrs & months of credited svc, up to a max of 80%, by mbrs' final monthly compensation provided Mbr's retiremt commences bet 1/1/06-6/30/06. (Dunham) (Jax Gen Employees Bd of Pension Trustees) (75 Letters of Support on File & 3 Ltrs of Opposition)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601- 9/13/05

 

1. 8/23/2005 CO  Introduced: F

 

    9/6/2005 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 9/13/2005 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; F

 

    10/3/2005 F Sub/Rerefer 5-0

 

3. 10/11/2005 CO SUBSTITUTE/ Rerefer; F

 

    6/19/2006 F Amend/Approve 3-2 (Failed)

 

    8/14/2006 F Amend/Approve 2-3 (Failed)

 

 

DEFER

 

 

 

 

2.  2006-591

ORD Apv the Soutel/Moncrief Retail Redev Area in accordance with Chapt 163, Pt III, Community Redev Act of 1969, F.S., as Amended; Making Findings & Determinations; Estab a Redev Trust Fund Pursuant to Sec 163.387 of said act; Directing Tax Collector to estab 2005 Tax Assessmt as the Base for the Increment as Required by Sec 163.387, F.S. (Germany) (Req of Mayor & C/M Jones)

F Public Hearing - 7/17/06

ECID Public Hearing - 7/18/06

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166 & 163.358 F.S. & CR 3.601 - 5/23/06, 7/24/06

 

1. 5/9/2006 CO  Introduced: F,ECID

 

    5/15/2006 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

    5/16/2006 RCD Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 5/23/2006 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; F, ECID

 

    6/5/2006 F Amend/Approve 7-0

 

    6/6/2006 RCD Amend/Approve 5-0

 

3. 6/13/2006 CO POSTPONED 6/27/06

 

   6/27/2006 CO Rereferred; F,ECID (RCD 7/1/07)

 

 

DEFER

 

 

3.  2006-883

ORD Auth Lease Agreemt with Property Management Support, Inc for Tax Collector Office Space at 9680 Argyle Forest Blvd (5,000 Sq Ft at Oakleaf Crossing Center). (Dist 11-Holt) (Howard) (Req of Mayor)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 8/22/06

 

1. 8/8/2006 CO  Introduced: F,TEUS

 

    8/14/2006 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

    8/15/2006 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 8/22/2006 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; F,TEUS (TEU 7/1/07)

 

 

DEFER

 

 

4.  2006-1364

ORD Amend Sec 120.206(h), Ord Code, to Change Commencemt Date of COLA from April to January. (Dunham) (Req of Bd of Pension Trustees, Gen Employees)

Public Hearing Pursuant to  Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 12/12/06

 

1. 11/28/2006 CO  Introduced: F

 

    12/4/2006 F Amend/Read 2nd & Rerefer 4-0

 

2. 12/12/2006 CO PH AMENDED/Read 2nd & Rereferred; F

 

 

DEFER

 

 

5.  2006-1394

ORD Amend Chapt 751 (Septic Tank Superfund), Ord Code, to Create an On-Site Sewage Treatmt Disposal Syst Regulatory Prog. (Teal) (Req of Mayor)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 1/9/07

 

1. 12/12/2006 CO  Introduced: F,TEUS, ECID (1-9-07)

 

    1/2/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

    1/3/2007 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 1/9/2007 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; F, TEUS (TEU 7/1/07), ECID (RCD 7/1/07)

 

 

DEFER

 

 

6.  2007-105

ORD Renaming & Amend Chapt 118 (Misc Approp), Renaming Chapt to be "Public Service Appropriations" & Largely Amend Same to Create Public Srvcs Grant Council with Public Srvc Grant Aprvl Auth & Prov for City Council to Approve Lump Sum Approptn for Public Srvc Grants; Estab Public Srvc Grant Criteria; Amend Sec 118.301 (Expenditure of Appropriated Funds), Sec 118.604 (Allocation by Cultural Council; Generally) Ord Code. (Rohan) (C/M Hyde)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 2/13/07

 

1. 1/23/2007 CO  Introduced: F

 

    2/5/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 2/13/2007 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; F

 

    11/5/2007 F Sub/Rerefer 5-0

 

3. 11/13/2007 CO SUBSTITUTE/ Rerefer; F

 

 

Council Member Hyde distributed copies of a proposed substitute that would establish a Public Service Grant Council to review and recommend funding of grant applications based on funding of programs for priority populations established by City Council each year, and would establish limits on the amount of funding and the number of years an applicant could receive public service grants.

 

SUBSTITUTE APPROVED AND RECOMMENDED FOR REREFERAL TO FINANCE  5-0

 

 

7.  2007-183

ORD Amend Sec 120.102 (General Employees & Corrections Officers Pension Plans), to Add New Member to Bd of Trustees for COJ Retiremt System; Redefine Selection Process for Citizens Trustees; Increase Number of Members for Corrections Officers' Plan Advisory Comm; Define Selection of Chairperson of Bd of Trustees. (Germany) (Req of Mayor)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 2/27/07

 

1. 2/13/2007 CO  Introduced: R,F,A

 

    2/20/2007 A Read 2nd & Rerefer;    2/20/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer;    2/20/2007 R Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 2/27/2007 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; R, F, A (Eliminated 7/1/07)

 

    3/19/2007 R Sub/Approve 6-0

 

 

DEFER

 

 

8.  2007-329

ORD Regarding Ethics; Amend Chapt 102 (Auditing Regulations) Sec 102.103 (Reporting Violations of Code of Ethics), Amend Chapt 350 (Elections & Elections Regulations), Ord Code; Rename Chapt as Elections, Elections Regulations and Campaigning; Move Campaign Ethics Provisions from Chapt 602 (Ethics Code) to Chapt 350; Amend Chapt 602 with Substantial Revisions, Increased Regulation of City Officers & Employees re Gifts, Moonlighting & Secondary Employmt & Post City Employmt; Amend Disclosure Provisions; Auth a City "Hotline"; Provide for Investigations Conducted by Ethics Comm. (Rohan) (Req of Ethics Comm)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 4/10/07

 

1. 3/27/2007 CO  Introduced: R,F,A

 

    4/2/2007 A Read 2nd & Rerefer;    4/2/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer;    4/2/2007 R Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 4/10/2007 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; R,F,A (Eliminated 7/1/07)

 

    11/5/2007 R Sub/Approve 4-0  (Jnt F & R Mtg 11-7-07);    11/5/2007 F Sub/Approve 4-0  (Jnt F & R Mtg 11-7-07)

 

3. 11/13/2007 CO SUBSTITUTE/ Rerefer; F

 

 

Motion: Council Member Jabour moved to amend to provide that council members may not accept anything, including food and beverages, from a registered lobbyist – fails

 

Council Member Joost cautioned against the unintended consequences of a “zero tolerance” policy.  Council Member Hyde asked the Ethics Commission to comment on the proposed $25 limit on accepting food and beverages.  Carla Miller and Katie Dearing stated that $25 was not the “gold standard” of a perfect world (that would be $0), but was a good compromise that would allow council members to attend events and partake in a continental breakfast or occasional modest lunch or dinner with a civic group or labor union without running afoul of a zero tolerance standard.

 

Motion (Hyde): amend to provide that any food or beverage valued under $25 should not be counted toward the $250 cumulative gift amount that is allowed per year – approved

 

The committee discussed the issue of registered vs. unregistered lobbyists, and the difficulty of knowing when one has received a gift from a principal who has hired a lobbyist; Mr. Rohan stated that it is incumbent, albeit uncomfortable, for council members to ask the hard questions about whom a gift is from before accepting anything.

 

Adam Hollingsworth raised the issue of post-City employment and the difficulty the bill poses, as currently written, to recruiting good employees who may find themselves practically unemployable in Jacksonville for 2 years after playing a role in City contracting.  He and Ms. Dearing of the Ethics Commission have been negotiating potential compromise language.  Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the post-employment proposal is far stricter than anything else in existence in Florida or around the nation.  He proposed exempting any current City employee from the effects of the post-employment ban and exempting participation in any competitively procured contract from the ban.  Council Auditor Kirk Sherman stated his belief that the Professional Services Evaluation Committee process ought not to be included in the “competitively procured” exemption, as the process is susceptible to being dominated by the 2 representatives of the using agency, who would stand to benefit the most from post-City employment with a contractor.

 

Motion - Floor Amendment:

  1. Establish food gifts under $25 as not reportable
  2. Prohibition of employment with company whom City has contracts with shall not apply to contacts entered into prior to 1/1/08, or contracts that have been competitively procured.
  3. Auditor and administration to agree on definition of  “competitively procured”
  4. Define “substantial and decision-making role” in procurement process

AMENDMENT APPROVED

 

RECOMMEND APPROVAL AS TWICE AMENDED 6-0

 

 

9.  2007-401

ORD re BJP Courthouse Proj; Apv $52,500,000 in Multi-Year Funding from Spec Rev Bonds & Approp Legally Available Non-Ad Valorem Revenues Under City Covenant Prog for Constrn of Unified Courthouse; Amend Ord 2006-789-E (CIP) to Auth Priority 1 Status for all Components of "Duval County Courthouse Facilities Project"; Estab Max Cost for Proj of $316,000,000; Estab Proj Description; Auth Mayor to Secure Consultants & Design & Constrn Professionals; Continuing Courthouse Architectural Review Committee estab in Ord 2004-1339-E; Repealing Portions; Declaring Monroe St Shall Remain Open. (Rohan) (Req of Mayor)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 4/24/07

 

1. 4/10/2007 CO  Introduced: F,TEUS

 

    4/16/2007 F Sub/Read 2nd & Rerefer 7-0

 

    4/17/2007 TEU Sub/Read 2nd & Rerefer 5-0

 

2. 4/24/2007 CO PH SUBSTITUTED/Read 2nd & Rereferred; F, TEUS (TEU 7/1/07)

 

 

DEFER

 

 

10.  2007-924

RESO Auth Issuance by Jax Housing Finance Authority of its Multifamily Housing Rev Bonds (Bennett Creek Apts), Series 2007, of $33,000,000 for Acquisition, Constrn & Equipping of Multifamily Rental Housing Dev. (Chastain) (Req of Jax Housing Finance Auth)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Sec 147(f), Internal Rev Code, by JHFA - 7/23/07

 

1. 8/28/2007 CO  Introduced: F,RCD

 

    9/4/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

    9/5/2007 RCD Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 9/11/2007 CO Read 2nd & Rereferred; F,RCD

 

 

AMEND to include language that the bonds will be private placement bonds

 

RECOMMEND APPROVAL AS AMENDED  6-0

 

 

11.  2007-1005

ORD Creating Chapt 113 (Gifts to City) Establishing Method & Means of City to Accept Donations of $500,000 or more, Other Monetary Donations, Gifts of Personal Propty & Gifts to the Executive & Legislative Branches of Govt of Tickets & Admissions to Events & Travel. (Rohan) (C/M Lee)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 10/9/07

 

1. 9/25/2007 CO  Introduced: R,F

 

    10/1/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer;    10/1/2007 R Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 10/9/2007 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; R,F

 

 

R: defer

 

DEFER

 

 

12.  2007-1094

ORD Apv Pymt of $3,077,519 as Settlemt of Dispute with IKON Office Solutions, Inc re Library System over Pymt for Printing & Copying Svcs & Equipmt; Apv Purchase of Listed Equipmt; Auth Waiver of Chapt 126 (Procuremt Code), Ord Code. (Rohan) (Req of Mayor)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 10/23/07

 

1. 10/9/2007 CO  Introduced: R,F,RCD

 

    10/15/2007 F Amend/Read 2nd & Rerefer 5-0;    10/15/2007 R Amend/Read 2nd & Rerefer 5-0

 

    10/16/2007 RCD Amend/Read 2nd & Rerefer 5-0

 

2. 10/23/2007 CO PH AMENDED/Read 2nd & Rereferred; R, F. RCD

 

 

R: defer

 

DEFER

 

13.  2007-1110

RESO Apv Issuance by Jax Housing Finance Auth of its Homeowner Mtg Rev Bonds of $40,000,000 to Purchase Mtg Loans Originated by Participating Local Lending Institutions for Purchase or Rehab of Single Family Residences or Purchasing Securities Evidencing Interests in such Mtg Loans; Auth Appl for Private Activity Bond Volume Cap; Require Addnl Council Apv Prior to Sale of Bonds. (Chastain) (Req of JHFA)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Sec 147(f), Internal Rev Code held by JHFA - 10/10/07

 

1. 10/23/2007 CO  Introduced: F,RCD

 

    11/5/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

    11/6/2007 RCD Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 11/13/2007 CO Read 2nd & Rereferred; F,RCD

 

 

RECOMMEND APPROVAL 6-0

 

 

14.  2007-1111

ORD Auth a Traffic Control Agreemt with Drayton Park Homeowners Assn, Inc, Pursuant to Sec 316.006, F.S. (Dist 4-Redman) (Sidman) (C/M Redman)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 11/13/07

 

1. 10/23/2007 CO  Introduced: F,PHS

 

    11/5/2007 PHS Read 2nd & Rerefer;    11/5/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 11/13/2007 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; F,PHS

 

 

RECOMMEND APPROVAL 6-0

 

 

15.  2007-1112

ORD Amend Sec 120.314(a), Ord Code, to Change Required Yrs of Credited Svc to Participate in DROP Prog, Pursuant to Article 33 (Retiremt Plan) of Collective Bargaining Agreemt with FOP Lodge 5-30 (Corrections Officers Bargaining Unit), Auth by Ord 2006-236-E; Provide for Implementation on 12/1/07. (Germany) (Req of Mayor)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 11/13/07

 

1. 10/23/2007 CO  Introduced: F

 

    11/5/2007 F Amend/Read 2nd & Rerefer 5-0

 

2. 11/13/2007 CO PH AMENDED/Read 2nd & Rereferred; F

 

 

RECOMMEND APPROVAL 5-0

 

 

16.  2007-1113

ORD Approp $99,370.74 from Fire Station #41 CIP Funds (Completed Proj) to Fire Station #4 to meet Architectural Compatibility Requiremts in Conjunction with Improvemt Constrn Plans, Pursuant to Downtown Review Bd Actions; Amend Ord 2007-814-E (CIP) to Reflect Changes in Funding of said Projs. (BT 08-17) (McCain) (Req of Mayor)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 11/13/07

 

1. 10/23/2007 CO  Introduced: F,PHS

 

    11/5/2007 PHS Read 2nd & Rerefer;    11/5/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 11/13/2007 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; F,PHS

 

 

AMEND to attach revised CIP schedules

 

RECOMMEND APPROVAL AS AMENDED  5-0

 

 

17.  2007-1119

ORD Auth Execution of a Utility Easemt to Manuel A Delasnueces to Obtain JEA Svc to his Propty on Randolph St. (Dist 9-W. Jones) (McCain) (Req of Mayor)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 11/13/07

 

1. 10/23/2007 CO  Introduced: F,TEU

 

    11/5/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

    11/6/2007 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 11/13/2007 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; F, TEU

 

 

DEFER

 

 

18.  2007-1132

ORD Amend City Charter, Article 21 (JEA), Sec 21.07, Assessmt Calculation for JEA's Annual Pymt to City; Amend Chapt 106 (Budget & Accounting Code), Sec 106.202 (Calculation of Annual Assessmt by JEA), Ord Code, to Reflect Changes in Charter Sec 21.07. (Rohan) (C/P Davis)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 11/13/07

 

1. 10/23/2007 CO  Introduced: R,F

 

    11/5/2007 F Read 2nd & Rerefer;    11/5/2007 R Read 2nd & Rerefer