0:06 It is one o'clock on June sixteenth.
0:09 We're going to go ahead and call the finance committee to order, and we will start with introductions to the left.
0:14 Brittany Norris for the administration.
0:16 Colin Hansey, Council Research.
0:18 Mary Stefopoulos, Office of General Counsel.
0:21 Philip Peterson, Council Auditor.
0:22 Good afternoon, Rory Diamond and George, District 13, the beaches.
0:26 Ron Salem group two at large.
0:28 Nick Allen at large, group three.
0:29 Joe Carlucci, District Five.
0:31 Will Lane and District 3.
0:34 And what kind of finance committee would it be without a presentation from our auditors?
0:42 Through the chair to the committee.
0:44 The request of Councilmember Salem.
0:46 We looked into the emergency incidents fund to see its financial state.
0:52 And just so you're aware, the emergency incidents fund is where all emergency events, so tropical storms, hurricanes, COVID 19, they're all booked there.
1:22 But when examining the revenues and expenditures that have been recorded in that fund, and this mainly dates back to Hurricane Matthew was the last time that we prior to that, it had already been filled, if you will.
1:36 There was there was a zero balance going into that fund.
1:38 But looking at the revenues and expenses expenditures that have been recorded along with the anticipated revenues to be received from FEMA and the state, the fund as a whole is actually projected to be positive.
1:51 So this is largely due to actions that were taken by city councils and the mayor back in fiscal year 17-18.
2:00 $7 million was budgeted to go into this fund.
2:06 So that had been in the summer of 17.
2:09 Matthew had hit October of 16, and so we knew that we were going to have to fill some type of hole.
2:15 So $7 million was put in then and then the following year, fiscal year 18-19 budget, eight eight million dollars was contributed again because Irma had hit the prior year.
2:26 And so those two contributions are why that fund will be positive once it all shakes out.
2:33 But for those two contributions, it would have a hole that would need to be filled, but those will carry us into a positive manner going forward for any future storms.
2:42 Alright, Councilmember Salem, you're in the queue.
2:44 You recognize thank you, Chair.
2:51 I asked for this review because we haven't had a storm in a while.
2:59 Through the chair to Mr.
3:00 Peterson, theoretically, the amount that we would put out as a city is at five or ten percent that uh we owe the feds or the state on a storm, but we should get back everything other than that, correct?
3:17 Through the chair to council member Salem.
3:19 So most storms uh for the I'll say the lower uh event storms.
3:25 Uh the city is responsible for a 12 and a half percent contributions, 12 and a half from the city, twelve and a half from the state, and then uh from FEMA is 75% for uh Matthew and Irma that was decreased due to the severity that Jackson will experienced, and we were only responsible for a five percent contribution.
3:42 Uh the state picked up five and then FEMA contributed ninety, but normally it's that twelve and a half percent.
3:48 So, uh through the chair.
3:49 How much is in that fund today?
3:52 The fund is currently sitting at a negative eight million dollar cash balance, but we have outstanding claims with uh that have been approved by FEMA.
4:01 FEMA has transmitted to the state, the state is in the process of reviewing.
4:05 Once we receive those payments, and then there are other expected um expenses that are our anticipated expenses uh that fire rescue still has related to a couple of the more recent uh smaller tropical storms.
4:18 Um, once those are received, that will put the fund into the black and set us up for success in the future.
4:24 Do we need to put any money into that fund as we as we're now in hurricane season?
4:30 I mean, that's just the question through the chair.
4:32 Through the chair to Councilmember, say well, my recommendation would not be to put money in the fund because you would just be setting it aside for a future event.
4:40 I would recommend uh waiting to see if we have a storm and then addressing it at that time.
4:48 All right, Councilmember Lane, you're recognized.
4:49 Hey Chair, through your chair, Mr.
4:51 I remember talking to you about this, I think about a year ago.
4:53 The Irma and Matthew funds, that money's still there, I think uh to the dollar, right?
4:58 It's eight and seven million available.
5:00 Through the chair to Council Member Lane, and that's correct.
5:03 So all the storms are tracked individually, but the the dollars all go into the same fund.
4:59 So that 15 million is what is really setting the city up for success going forward.
5:14 Had that not been done, we would be at a negative 23 million dollar problem and would project to in the fund, once we receive all reimbursements, uh, still be in a cash hole.
5:26 Peterson, even though it's in a consistency account that's named after a storm, that money there we can use on future storms despite the name of what that consensus account is, correct?
5:36 Through the chair to council member Lane.
5:38 So there will probably need to be some accounting cleanup to move journal entries around from storm to storm, but uh looking the at the fund as a whole, it's in a good shape.
5:49 Through your chair, thank you.
5:56 Now we can uh oh, and we want to welcome Councilwoman Pittman.
6:00 Thank you for joining us.
6:02 So we'll go to item number one, 2024 627 is deferred.
6:07 Item number two, twenty twenty-four nine six six is deferred.
6:10 Item number three, twenty twenty-five three sixty-one is deferred.
6:14 Item number four, twenty twenty-five seven seven five is deferred.
6:17 Item number five, twenty twenty-six two twenty-seven is deferred.
6:20 Item number six, twenty twenty-six three one eight is deferred.
6:22 Item number seven, twenty twenty-six, three twenty is deferred.
6:25 Item number eight, twenty twenty-six three seventy-seven is deferred, which brings us to our first action item number nine, twenty twenty-six four one eight.
6:34 Oh, we have a motion second on the bill.
6:37 Is there any discussion?
6:42 You have an amendment.
6:44 You have an amendment on this?
6:51 I'm offering an amendment.
6:56 Through the chair to council president designate Howland, I was copied on an email that was forwarded to me by Jason Teal where you had uh interacted with John Sawyer with respect to whether there needed to be any amendments to the development agreement.
7:09 Uh, council member how please explain the amendment.
7:16 So uh through the chair to the committee, um when looking at this project and whether or not there were any implications in the development agreement between the city and blue cross blue shield, uh Mr.
7:28 Sawyer recommended that sec that the that there be an amendment to authorize an amendment to the development agreement um to include some language in section 6.3 of that development agreement, which is with respect to the restrictive covenants that Blue Cross Blue Shield would have been required to sign off on relative to the parking garage, which required that they would um provide for public parking.
7:53 Um and so it would include language that just states except as maybe otherwise offer otherwise authorized by city council that the restrictive covenants would bind the developer and future owners of the parking garage in the project parcel, and that's to address the fact that we're adjusting their obligations with respect to the provision of public parking through this legislation.
8:13 That's basically an abundance of caution amendment that Mr.
8:17 Yes, and what we would do as part of the amendment if it's approved is we would attach uh just a simple amendment to the development agreement, including authorization for the mayors to execute or DIA to execute that um amendment as part of the bill.
8:29 Thank you for clarifying move the amendment.
8:31 All right, we have a motion to second on the amendment.
8:33 No one in the queue, all in favor of the amendment, signify by saying I.
8:37 The amendment carries.
8:39 Motion to second on the bill as amended.
8:42 Council President elect Helen.
8:44 All right, thank you, Mr.
8:45 This bill basically just um changes the public purpose for a already agreed redevelopment agreement from um public parking to JSO parking.
8:55 Um, and JSO is here if any um if anyone needs uh further explanation, but as JSO moves its headquarters into the Florida Blue Building, they're gonna need access to that specified parking garage that's named in the bill, and they're gonna need it all for a substation for security reasons and everything, and it's gonna become a public safety uh issue if there's general parking allowed in the in the site.
9:15 Now uh uh we had JSO do a study of how much that parking lot is used uh right now by the public, and it's something like 40 cars max per month, and I think that was a heavy month, so it's not used much.
9:27 That said, it probably will be used in the future as Brooklyn gets billed out.
9:31 So there is a concern here.
9:32 Nonetheless, uh I think we all agree public safety first.
9:36 They've been very clear on why.
9:29 They've been um very uh happy to work with us in DIA to figure out better ways to do it, but this is where we stand, and um we need are doing this for JSO.
9:49 All right, we have no one else in the queue, and we did have a motion and second, so open the ballot, record your vote.
10:11 By direction you've approved 2026 418.
10:14 Item number 10, 2026, 444.
10:18 Motion to second on the withdrawal, no one in the queue.
10:21 Open the ballot, record your vote.
10:29 By direction, you've withdrawn 2026 444.
10:32 Item number 11, 2026, 445 is deferred.
10:35 Item number 12, 2026, 447.
10:41 Motion to second on the rules amendment.
10:42 Can someone please explain the rules amendment?
10:44 Through the chair of the committee, the rules amendment would revise the funding source uh to rather than be a budgetary line item within the self-insurance fund to use retained earnings within the self-insurance fund.
10:54 Uh, include a waiver of section one twenty-eight-three one two to allow uh self-insurance operating reserves, which is the same as the retained earnings to be used to fund this new risk management system and then attach to revised exhibit one to reflect the change in funding source.
11:08 All right, no speakers in the queue.
11:09 All in favor of the rules amendment signify by saying aye.
11:14 Move the bills amended.
11:15 Motion to second on the bill as amended.
11:18 Council Member Lane, you're recognized.
11:21 Through the chair, uh to Miss Flynn if she's out there or anyone from the administration.
11:24 Uh just a question.
11:25 It's a nice round half a million dollars.
11:27 So I assume this is just a a rough estimate right now as to how much this new systems are going to cost us.
11:34 Um, we have our projections out.
11:37 It is uh due to the conversion costs and the first year of operating of it.
11:42 Conversion costs can vary a little bit depending on the amount of service hours that go into it, any kind of big glitches that happen.
11:49 It's a bit big undertaking to replace your claims program.
11:53 This basically holds all of our claims, uh, our auto or general I video work comp.
11:58 So it's a long process.
11:59 It won't the switch won't go on uh for it until February.
12:02 Um, and during that time we're doing this conversion process, so your chair, thank you, Ms.
12:09 All right, we have no other speakers in the queue.
12:11 Let's open the ballot, record your vote.
12:20 By direction you've approved, 2026, 447.
12:22 Item number 13, 2026, 448 is deferred.
12:25 Item number 14, 2026, 449 is deferred.
12:28 Item number 15, 2026, 450.
12:31 All right, we have a motion and second on the bill.
12:34 No speakers in the queue.
12:35 Open the ballot, record your vote.
12:48 By reaction, you've approved 226 450.
12:50 Item number 16, 2026, 453 is deferred.
12:54 Item number 17, 2026, 454.
12:58 Motion and second on the amendment.
12:59 Can someone please explain the amendment?
13:01 Through the chair to the committee.
13:03 This bill authorizes the borrowing uh for projects that have had dollars spent and need to be funded now uh that they are moving forward.
13:11 Um, and there were a couple projects that were lift off left off the project list that's attached to the bill, so it will attach a revised exhibit one to include those additional projects and then correct various scriptures.
13:22 Alright, Councilmember Diamond, you recognize all right.
13:25 All in favor of the amendment signified by saying aye.
13:29 The amendment carries.
13:30 Move the bills on it.
13:31 All right, we have a motion and second on the bill as amended.
13:33 Councilmember Diamond, you're recognized.
13:35 I just think that we ought to get on the record from Ms.
13:37 Brochet or somebody else from finance as to why we're waiving section 104.2 on one.
13:42 It's just a lot of money to be waiving the competitive uh sale.
13:45 I I know the reason, but I'd just like to get on the record.
13:52 All right, we have Ms.
13:53 Brochet coming on down.
13:57 Anna Brochet Finance.
13:59 Through the chair to Councilman Diamond.
14:02 Treasury has its own procurement process and procedures from a financial administration and financial services perspective and has for as long as I can remember, forever.
14:17 And so that's what the waiver is.
14:21 Councilmember Lennon, you're recognized.
14:24 I was just going to say for items 17 and 18, I'll support them because again, it's over it's required because we have the capital improvement plan that we approved last summer.
14:33 But again, uh, and I'll reiterate this when we get into the budget season.
14:36 We have exactly one day a year we can impact what our debt expenses, and that's when we look at the CIP projects, which whether it's operating budget or capital, dollars a dollar.
14:46 So uh I do intend to give the CIP an even harder look this year as we go through that because again, just to reiterate there's one day a year that we can impact what our future debt expenses.
14:57 All right, we have no other speakers in the queue, so let's open the ballot, record your vote.
15:15 Five years, zero and a's by your action you've approved, twenty twenty-six, four fifty-four.
15:19 Item number eighteen, twenty twenty-six, four fifty-five.
15:23 All right, we have a motion and second on the amendment.
15:25 Can someone please explain the amendment?
15:27 Through the chair of the committee, uh, this very technical, it's clarifying that only a portion of the commercial paper ordinance, which is 2004 884 is being amended, and then striking a um superfluous that are not needed in the section.
15:41 All right, all in favor of the superfluous amendment signified by saying aye.
15:47 All right, that was a weak eye.
15:49 Uh amendment passes.
15:50 Uh move the bills amendment.
15:53 All right, we have a motion second on the bill as amended.
15:54 Councilmember Salem, you're recognized.
15:59 I have an amendment.
16:01 I've discussed this with Mr.
16:03 Peterson and understand the need to go to up to 250 million due to the stadium and other reasons that are stated in our but my my amend would be that it come back to 200,000 on 930 29.
16:23 I'm sorry, 200 million, pardon me.
16:27 On 930 29 when once all this is completed.
16:32 Do we have a second?
16:33 Alright, we have a motion to second on the sale and amendment.
16:36 Anyone in the queue?
16:38 Uh Councilmember Lannon, you're recognized.
16:40 Uh, through chair to uh Dr.
16:41 Can you just explain to me one more time what comes back to us on 930?
16:45 This is going up to 250 million from 200 due to the reasons stated uh about the stadium, etc.
16:53 There, I'm saying once all that is completed, let's bring it back down to 200 million where it was before all the stadium stuff was occurring.
17:02 To the chair, thank you.
17:03 All right, council president is good.
17:07 All in favor of the same amendment signify by saying aye.
17:11 The amendment carries.
17:12 We'll roll those up into one amendment.
17:14 And did so now we need to move the bill again.
17:19 Okay, got a motion second on the bill as amended.
17:22 Are you on the okay?
17:22 Council Vice President Howland, you're recognized.
17:26 Question for Philip.
17:27 The second to last bullet there.
17:28 Can you clarify cumulative inflation of 75% over this time would equate to a new max of 260 million?
17:34 Through the chair to Councilmember Howland.
17:36 So the 150 million dollar cap was put in in 2004.
17:41 And so the administration in assessing whether or not to raise the rate applied inflation each year up till 2026 and do in doing so equates to about 75%.
17:51 And so that would be a 260 million dollar number now if we just apply to inflation every year since 2004.
17:59 And you're just showing that for context, so to speak.
18:02 Just did these were their uh kind of talking points as to why to raise the rate and just wanted to make sure that you were aware of them.
18:11 No other speakers in the queue.
18:12 Let's open the ballot.
18:28 Five years, zero days.
18:29 By your action you've approved, 2026, 455.
18:33 Item number 19, 2026, 457.
18:29 We have a motion and second on the neighborhoods amendment.
18:39 Can someone please explain the amendment?
18:42 Through the chair of the committee, the neighborhoods amendment would revise the funding source uh to rather than issuing debt to be funded from the general fund operating reserves.
18:50 Attaches a revised exhibit one, which is the BT to correct some account information and reflect that revised funding source.
18:56 Attaches or revised exhibit three, which is the term sheet with the Jacksonville Housing Authority to clarify the term of the loan, uh clarify if there are any closing expenses that they'll be paid by JHA.
19:06 We'll allow the funds to be dispersed on a work performed in invoice basis rather than uh advancing the funds, and then also uh clearly define the project and then lastly correct Scribbers.
19:19 Uh are you on the amendment?
19:21 Yeah, okay, all right, Council of Vice President Holland.
19:24 Philip, have we used um the commercial paper facility to fund loans in the past like this?
19:29 I know the amendment changes that funding source.
19:32 Through the chair to council member Howland, none come to mind.
19:36 I'm not gonna say that we haven't, but I can't specifically think of any.
19:39 And that was neighborhoods reasoning to change it to um general fund.
19:43 I believe neighborhoods reasoning was it was only a three-year loan, so rather than issue debt and take on a higher debt cost, um, uh as well as the administrative burden that comes along with managing debt versus just making a one-time payment out of the um general fund.
19:59 But I that is another factor that should be um considered.
20:03 Do you know if uh last question the introducer or neighborhoods committee or the auditor have looked at other potential funding sources for this million dollars instead of uh general operating reserves?
20:15 Through the chair, I can say that the auditors have not.
20:18 I do not know about the introducer and uh no other funding sources were discussed at neighborhoods.
20:25 Okay, just because this finance committee has kind of been nervous about pulling anything out of the general general fund this year, um, even if it's just a million, but now and nowadays given the you know the financial uncertainty we have in the fall, just a million's no longer just a million, it's a million.
20:40 And uh it should be a concern of ours.
20:45 All right, we have did we take a vote on the amendment?
20:49 No, we can't just determine another funds.
20:53 Speak now, forever hold your piece, all right.
20:58 Do we have somebody?
21:01 All right, councilman Salem, you recognize.
21:03 No, I would I was in neighborhoods, I supported this.
21:06 I was just trying to save the city overall money by uh was it was a short term, and you guys know how I feel about going into the general fund, but it was short term, it was only for three years, trying to save up money instead of going out and borrowing it.
21:24 That was the only reason.
21:25 I understand the concern, and I said it myself, but um that was the reason for it.
21:32 All right, Councilman Lane, you're recognized.
21:36 Uh thank you, Chair, and uh just to the committee.
21:38 Pearson about this much uh or this one uh at length because uh we've seen a lot of loans lately.
21:43 Uh but ultimately I support the amendment because there's not only the administrative workload that's going to be uh saved, but basically we are just in correct me if I'm wrong here, Mr.
21:52 Uh we're essentially giving JHA a better rate than they otherwise would have gotten.
21:58 There's no forgiveness part.
22:00 It's more of a market rate than some of the 1% loans that have come in through uh through lately, and we'll get it back in three years, I believe.
22:07 Through the chair to Councilmember Lanen, I agree with every statement you said except for maybe the market rate portion.
22:12 It's only at two percent, but it is higher than the one percent we've been giving.
22:16 Through the chair to Mr.
22:16 Peterson, it's 100% more than the recent rates we have approved for loans that have lasted 20 years on interest only.
22:23 So I will support it.
22:27 All in favor of the neighborhoods amendment signify by saying aye.
22:32 Motion second on the bill as amended.
22:39 All right, open the ballot, record your vote.
22:48 By your action you've approved, twenty twenty-six, four fifty-seven.
22:51 And we want to go ahead and welcome council member Arias for joining us.
22:57 Number 20, 2026, 458.
23:01 Alright, we have a motion and a second.
22:59 Councilwoman Pittman, you're recognized.
23:23 Um project in district 10 for a nonprofit.
23:27 Alright, do we have a second?
23:29 Alright, we have a second on the Pittman amendment.
23:32 No one in the queue, all in favor of the amendment signified by saying aye.
23:36 The amendment carries.
23:38 Motion and second on the bill as amended.
23:41 Councilman President Howland, you're recognized.
23:43 Yeah, I'm a talker today.
23:47 Um let me ask I don't know who the right, maybe if Renee is here through the chair, Renee, do you mind coming up?
24:02 It was just about a year and a half ago that we had uh something of a s news story about how a lot of the donated properties hadn't uh to nonprofits for affordable housing.
24:11 Uh they hadn't completed affordable housing projects.
24:14 Uh is that the same program here that made the news a couple years ago?
24:20 Um Renee Public Works Real Estate, I'd have to defer to the housing division.
24:27 It's on she's just talking softly.
24:29 I just saw yeah, is if anyone from housing wants to come up and address it, I have some other questions for you too.
24:35 I think I think housing can address that.
24:36 I do recall the bill that you're referring to, I think.
24:39 Yeah, and I think the properties went to Grace and Truth.
24:42 Does that sound familiar?
24:44 We need to we need to get a little there you go.
24:47 I think the properties um you're referring to, I think they went to Grace and Truth.
24:52 Does that sound familiar?
24:56 Okay, how about uh Ms.
24:57 Pittman through the chair and then uh Mr.
24:58 Diamond has a qu um an answer for that too.
25:01 Pittman, you recognize yes, ma'am.
25:04 So yes, to advise you no, this is not the nonprofit.
25:08 Um her name is Jackie Moore.
25:10 Her the name of the nonprofit escapes me, but she has the experience on East Jacksonville of developing programs.
25:17 She bought the family dollar over to the community and she has several pieces of property that she's trying to assemble for um the people some of the people who are actually um renting in the area, and she's interested in developing affordable housing for them.
25:35 I've worked with her the past five years, and now she's ready to kind of go to the finish line um to complete this affordable housing, and she does have the um resources um to do it.
25:51 Diamond, you wanted to.
25:53 Yeah, I just to add to the discussion, because you're right on the point, so and it separate from that, um a couple of years ago there was a report which was accurate that the city had given like 80 different lots to private individuals in order to build affordable housing like on those lots, and then they never did, right?
26:11 And one family in Orlando had like two-thirds of them, like miraculously, they all had the same last night.
26:16 And so then what we asked the city to do was to uh to uh utilize the reverter language in the conveyance, which said, hey, if you haven't built this house, you have to give this back, right?
26:27 And so I think the relevant question for us today is is there reverter in this conveyance and how fast can we execute our reverter if they don't do what they're supposed to do?
26:36 So how much how much leeway are we giving people to say you gotta build this?
26:40 Well, since I have the um the microphone here, Ms.
26:43 Hunter, do you know if there's a reverter in that?
26:45 I know you just deal mostly with the the parcels.
26:48 Um through the chair to council member Holland.
26:50 Um I think that's all a part of the affordable housing program.
26:53 If these properties are going to be going through, if I recall correctly, I think it's in the code.
26:59 Um I think it was changed a year or two ago.
27:01 And forgive me, it I do think this is more of a housing thing, but I believe there will be a deed restriction in these properties that after they go through the housing division's affordable housing donation program.
27:13 I think there's a restriction in there that says after two or three years after if the properties do not have a certificate of occupancy in them, then um the properties can revert to the city.
27:23 That process is um something that's initiated by the housing division, I believe.
27:28 Are Travis or Josh here?
27:30 And if they're not, I wondered uh Mike, do you know if they're in the building?
27:34 Because what we could do is move on to the other two.
27:28 My only question is I'm not against the bill.
27:38 My only questions for Travis and and um Josh would be um, do we have the reverter in for this particular program?
27:46 Two, why would we have uh a period of sixty days of properties may be donated to any entity um uh with any affordable housing?
27:56 Let's see what it says.
27:57 Um they're the first 30 days entity with prior affordable housing, therefore a period of 60 days.
28:03 The properties may be donated to any entity with prior affordable housing experience.
28:06 I guess they have to have some kind of affordable housing experience.
28:08 So I just want to know what they have to make sure that we're giving these away.
28:12 Those are the two questions I have for them.
28:13 And then the one for you is have we valued these 15 parcels writ large?
28:18 So through the chair to Councilmember Howland, what we didn't want to spend money on appraisals since these are going to be donated.
28:24 So what you'll find in the legislative package is just the assessed value from the property appraisers website.
28:29 So if you look in there, it's got a chart and it lists their assessed values there, and then globally or all 15 of them together, um, is just over 200,000 dollars.
28:44 Uh I don't know if we can.
28:45 Did you want to chime in?
28:46 Or was that was that Mr.
28:49 Through the chair to uh I think I can answer council over Howland's questions.
28:53 Um the the ordinance code requires a reverter to be included in these donations.
29:00 So there's not specific language in this uh bill itself.
29:03 You're just authorizing these to move forward.
29:06 Uh but when they do enter into agreements, they're required to put that in.
29:09 But they have to act on that reverter.
29:11 That's that's what I think Councilmember Diamond was referring to in that report is that we had the reverter language in those prior ones, but the city wasn't acting on them.
29:20 Um as it relates to the 30 days and the 60 day requirements, those are changes that were adopted by the council in early 2023.
29:28 Uh wanting to give preference to those who had affordable housing experience and not just any developer, but one those who are specifically in the affordable housing realm.
29:38 The first 30 days is to nonprofits, the next 60 days is to anybody who has affordable housing experience, and if any of the properties remain after that 90-day period, it can go to anyone who wants to purchase the property.
29:50 And that's in sorry, through the chair.
29:52 That's in 122.423 C.
29:56 Through the chair, uh that's correct.
29:57 30, 60, and then 90.
29:59 Then though that does answer the questions.
30:01 Then, but I got one more, and that is um why are we waiving subsection um one twenty two dot four two three F for this?
30:09 Through the chair, uh housing explained to us there are um so the ordinance code requires them to have four workshops to notify the public that these properties are available.
30:19 Given that there were only 15 properties, they felt four was uh a little excessive.
30:24 Um they're still going to have two workshops, one electronic, one in person.
30:29 Uh, in years past, the property uh numbers were in the I want to say hundreds that were being donated um or declared surplus for affordable housing.
30:40 And so that's where the council made the change to have these four, but uh housing's determination was given the the reduced number of parcels that are available for or suitable for affordable housing in this year's inventory list.
30:53 They only saw the need to have two.
30:55 I can't explain anything more than that.
30:58 I don't know why we would reduce the public's ability to um come to meetings to talk about this unless there's a significant cost associated with doing you know four workshops instead of two.
31:09 I mean, we're giving away two hundred thousand dollars of free city property.
31:12 Um, one would think we should open that up to anybody and restricting it from four to two doesn't seem right, but I don't know how everyone anyone else feels in that.
31:25 Well, we have this.
31:27 I mean, uh I don't know if you know.
31:31 So let me say, of course, I have vetted the the organization and the person, the work that they've done.
31:38 I'm quite aware of some of the the bad actors um in the community, but I can say this particular um nonprofit has done good work on Northjacks.
31:52 I mean, on uh the Phoenix area, um, and wanting to to clear that area, and there are a lot of families that want to do affordable housing.
32:02 I did talk to Travis before.
32:05 Um I considered taking this out, um, and making sure that they that she's gonna be working with him regarding this this project.
32:15 So there they'll do more vetting than I did, but she did come to me um to ask me once this surplus property became available if I would consider donating.
32:28 This is the first time that I've ever donated um to a nonprofit.
32:32 And as you know, you know, I'm in the community and with the um corridor funding that I had, this is gonna be a part of that um as well to open up additional um opportunities for these individuals.
32:48 Well, through the chair, thank you, uh Ms.
32:50 I'm fine with everything.
32:52 I how does the administration feel if we just waived uh if we struck the waiver of section um dot four two three F and just made it for workshops?
33:01 Um I I'm not of mind to um reducing the amount of opportunities the public can you know address a community service that we're offering them.
33:10 Um so I uh move an amendment to uh eliminate the waiver of subsection one two-two.423f.
33:16 All right, we have a motion and a second.
33:19 Chair, I just there was a second part to that waiver as well.
33:21 I just want to make sure you wanted to include that in the that they would not have to um advertise the workshops in a newspaper of general circulation.
33:29 I think that came at a cost of a thousand more plus dollars, and they were trying to save that cost.
33:35 So I just want to make sure if you eliminate the waiver, you want to eliminate both parts, the reduction in the number of workshops and the the requirement.
33:43 Now, let's waive the whole thing.
33:45 Okay, thank you for the clarification.
33:50 All right, no one uh in the queue.
33:52 So all in favor of the amendment signified by saying aye.
33:55 Any opposed the amendment carries.
33:58 Uh yes, yes, we can roll both those up uh into one amendment.
34:03 So I think we had a motion and a second on the bill as amended.
34:06 We have no one else in the queue.
34:08 Let's open the ballot, course of vote.
34:14 Seven yay, zero nays.
34:16 By right, you've approved 226, 458.
34:19 Item number 21, 226, 459.
34:23 All right, we have a motion and a second on the amendment.
34:26 All in favor of the amendment, signify by saying aye.
34:29 The amendment carries.
34:32 Alright, we have a motion and second on the bill as amended.
34:35 No one in the queue.
34:36 Let's open the ballot, record your vote.
34:43 Seven yay, zero nays.
34:45 By direction, you've approved 2026, 459.
34:47 Item number 22, 226, 460.
34:51 All right, we have we have a motion and a second on the bill.
34:56 No one in the queue.
34:57 Open the ballot, record your vote.
35:02 Seven yay, zero nays.
35:04 By direct, you've approved, twenty twenty-six, four sixty.
35:08 All right, Councilmember Diamond, you're recognized.
35:11 I know uh for our JFRD chief, you weren't at Doge, but um we discussed the fact that it's very likely the telehealth contract will not survive um finance this year, which would leave the only thing really available uh for that process is the free right site or something similar.
35:27 So just want you know, since Chief you're here, want to throw that out.
35:30 I don't think telehealth is gonna survive, and so we'll need to pivot on another way to do that.
35:37 All right, we have item number 23, 2026 463.
35:43 All right, we have a motion second on the amendment.
35:45 Can someone please explain the amendment?
35:48 Through the chair of the committee, the amendment just corrects that there's been four uh this the contract with the jumbo shrimp has been funded over a four-year time period and then attaches a revised exhibit one to correct some account information.
35:59 All right, all in favor of the amendment signified by saying aye.
36:03 The amendment carries.
36:05 Motion and second on the bill as amended.
36:07 Council Member Lennon, you're recognized.
36:09 Yeah, thank you, Chair.
36:10 Uh, through the chair of the committee, I talked to uh Mr.
36:12 Pearson about this yesterday.
36:13 If you note there's the auditor's note pursuant to the cost dispersion agreement, the city is not responsible for cost overruns and is therefore not obligated to fund this appropriation.
36:23 Uh so I guess I was surprised that went five to one.
36:27 I guess through the chair to Mr.
36:28 Peterson uh or the administration, whoever, like what am I missing?
36:32 Why are we trying to give more money that we are not contractually obligated to here?
36:54 Mike Weinstein, city uh mayor's office.
36:58 Basically, the obligation was to prepare the stadium for triple A.
37:03 And the bullpen came out at the very end as an issue that uh wasn't so directed at the beginning.
37:10 Uh the new owners came in.
37:12 It was basically at the time when uh Babby was selling new owners came in.
37:17 We talked about the bullpen being moved from basically inside to a safer place outside.
37:24 Triple A required it, major league baseball required it.
37:27 So we agreed to go ahead and do it, getting it ready for triple A.
37:31 That's why we agreed to do it.
37:33 Council Member Land, you still have the floor.
37:35 Through the chair to Mr.
37:37 Uh by mean going back to the the original contract, I think it was a pretty good size.
37:41 I think it was 30 something million ish of city money.
37:44 Was that part of the contract or are we basically doing this just to be nice to a new owner?
37:49 I guess that's my concern because I get concerned about the president, right?
37:52 Like the stadium pops in my mind.
37:54 It's very clear that deal all a hundred percent overruns are covered by that owner.
37:59 I just want to make sure we're not breaking that precedent by uh giving out any more money for this project that was not required by the contract.
38:06 You can define it as an overrun or you can find you can define it as an expansion basically of making sure it's triple A ready.
38:14 Um it wasn't so defined in the original um that it's it's a gray area, um, wherever the negotiations were a long time ago.
38:23 Uh a couple years ago, I guess.
38:25 Um, but again, needed to get it to AAA.
38:29 So I had to go ahead and do it.
38:30 The finances were basically within the family uh legions, legends basically coming out of their funds.
38:39 So that's why it was done.
38:45 Any other speakers?
38:49 All right, we have did we already all right over the ballot, record your vote.
39:03 Four years, three days.
39:05 By your action of approved, 2026, 463.
39:09 All right, items number 24, 2026, 489, 490, 491, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499 are all on second reading.
39:25 So guys and girls, that concludes the last finance committee of the year.
39:31 And before you go, George and the district thirteen councilman from the beaches.
39:38 I just want to say a few quick words on how much I've enjoyed uh serving with all you guys as half finance chair.
39:47 And um luckily council member areas has agreed to secure the gifts uh for all the committee members because uh I didn't want to have to buy for two.
40:00 Yeah, he he generously did that.
40:02 But no, seriously, I I've loved this uh committee.
40:05 I've loved working alongside of every one of you.
40:07 Um there's a special bond that the finance committee has going through the uh the budget at the beginning of the year, and um it's just been a real a real fun honor and a real fun time.
40:17 So with that, we will we'll adjourn and then we'll keep going around the horn.
40:21 So this means adjourned and council member Salem.
40:24 You recognize I know technically, uh this is the third one I've done the last two days.
40:30 I just uh wanted to thank you for your leadership on you you stepped in and uh we did miss a beat.
40:37 Thank you for that process, and uh appreciate what you've done, and I think we've had a good committee, good good dialogue throughout the year, and I think that's important.
40:50 We'll just go around the horn, council.
40:53 Former Chair, I wanna congratulate you both.
40:55 I mean, um Raul, you ran us through an incredibly successful budget session, uh finishing fully funding JSON and with an eighth of a mill tax decrease that was tremendous.
41:05 And Joe, you took over and uh kept it steady as Ron said.
41:09 So uh congrats to both of you, great both of you.
41:11 Great job this year.
41:13 All right, Councilman Rares.
41:16 Alright, thank you, Chair.
41:17 Uh I just wanna thank all of you guys.
41:19 I have a little gift for you guys, but it's gonna come on Tuesday because some of you guys, Amazon Prime is not the same as they used to be.
41:24 So uh some of you guys uh don't have your gift this.
41:27 So I'm just gonna have it ready for you guys next Tuesday.
41:29 Um I do have your cards, but I do want to thank you all.
41:31 Um it was a tough budget year, one of the toughest I I've been on in the last three years.
41:35 Um, but we all got it through.
41:36 And um honestly I just love being here with all of you guys.
41:39 I know sometimes it was pretty tough, but um you guys are truly the best of the best, and I appreciate having you guys in my corner during this budget year and and Joe, um, like they said, thanks for stepping in and uh skipping a beat.
41:50 You you've you were awesome.
41:51 So thanks for your leadership, and I look forward to both of you guys.
41:54 President, like and Mr.
41:55 Vice President, like on this upcoming year to really see you guys shine the way I know I expect you guys to do.
42:02 Alright, Councilmember Landon.
42:04 I guess we're required to say nice things.
42:07 Uh so uh no, thank you, both you guys.
42:09 Um I listened to First Coast Connect for the first time ever last week, found out I'm gonna be a finance chair, so looking forward to that as well.
42:15 Uh first goal I have is to gather here before four AM on budget night.
42:19 So still putting together some of my uh my other goals.
42:22 Um you can help with that.
42:25 Uh but no, uh it was a great year.
42:27 It seems like it's been longer than maybe just one year, but uh we did a lot of good work and uh proud to serve with you guys and gals.
42:34 All right, councilwoman Pittman.
42:37 Oh wait, you're on the queue, yeah.
42:41 You got you gonna let me go?
42:45 You've been nice to me today, huh?
42:48 Um, first of all, I wanna say that you brought us on, but I appreciate the work, bro, that you did um before and I feel that it was necessary to have different voices and different sides.
43:03 And even though we may have disagreed on some things, we did bring things home and get it to the finish line.
43:09 And I look forward to us as I told Mr.
43:12 Lane this morning, that he earned this position, and you know, I know that he is going to look at every line and kind of take the legacy from both of you all and make sure that um we save our taxpayers money and to make sure we have innovative ways um to make sure we keep the money that we need and spend it in the areas that um we need it to.
43:41 And so I just wanna say thank you all for um that opportunity and listening to me.
43:47 I know I'm the the only um democrat that's up here, but what I can say with you all is that we worked together and we got the work done and I really appreciate um y'all letting me have some input and voting on the input.
44:02 So I appreciate that.
44:06 All right, Councilmember Diamond.
44:10 Uh so Raul, man, I when I I got the text I was going on finance.
44:14 I had no idea, I didn't ask for it.
44:15 I just I was like, Oh, okay.
44:16 And then I was really depressed, honestly, I didn't want to do all that.
44:20 Um but uh you got through what I think was the coolest budget season of my entire time on council and it was really y I mean you have to do tough stuff, like stuff that's hard to do and I it's hard to sit in that chair and do stuff that's hard.
44:32 And so I really respect what you did, so thank you for that.
44:35 Joe, you jumped right in.
44:37 I think big reason why you're VP design it right now is because of the great leadership you showed, so nice work.
44:42 And I do want to give a shout out to my friend Jacoby Pittman.
44:44 I think it's so easy to be me.
44:47 Just do my thing over here.
44:49 It's like aligns with my values and all the rest.
44:51 I think it's really hard to be the only Democrat on this committee when you've got me over here and other people doing stuff that's tough, right?
44:56 It's uncomfortable, but you know, as a team, I think we got through it and the city's better for it, but thanks.
45:01 Yep, and I'll just end on one thing just to shed some light, and I think this will be kind of the the mentality going forward.
45:08 You know, I I don't look at you up here or anybody up here as like a one republic or you know, all Republicans, one Democrat.
45:14 I look at us as a as a as a group.
45:16 And whatever your goals are, whatever his goals are over there, uh literally on opposite ends, right?
45:21 Of of the actual dice.
45:22 Um, you know, y we always just want to try and bring it to the middle and and get something done good.
45:28 And last but not least, the staff, everyone down there in the pit over there, thank you guys.
45:33 Y'all get an amazing round of applause for everything you do.
45:38 So with that, 145, we're adjourned again.