All right, good morning, everybody.

It is 9 31 on Tuesday, June 23rd.

We're gonna go ahead and get started here.

Thank you everyone for coming.

Let's start with introductions on the left.

Colleen Hamsey, Council Research.

Carla Shell, Office of General Counsel.

Billy Peterson, Council Otter.

Ron Salem, group two at large.

Joe Carlucci, District 5.

Matt Carluccia at large group four.

What's that sound?

Can we fix the river, please?

All right.

All right, thanks for being with me.

We just had some technical issues up here.

We can kind of hear a crackling up here, so that's what we're just addressing.

All right.

So we will go ahead and get started with a general update from Mr.

Colin Tarbert.

Come on down.

Good morning, everyone.

My name is Colin Tarbert.

I'm the CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority, and great to be back with you all.

We do have a number of DIA staff members as well as our board member here in case you have any questions for us.

But in terms of the special committee, we're just gonna this is the general update.

The chair had asked just for project update in terms of a number of the things that we've presented before you already.

And then we do have one preview as we've been doing at the special committee for uh our board meeting, which is tomorrow.

So in terms of project updates, I'll just kind of run down the high-level uh important projects here.

We have Gateway N7, which is the mixed-use project 270 units uh anchored with a public grocery store.

You see the the rendering there.

Uh we did file that legislation, I believe, last week, so that will be making its way uh to the council in in the near future.

Uh the second project we have is the Riverfront uh restaurant, which we presented to this uh committee a number of times, and so we are now uh working on our term sheet, which has been drafted, and we've received comments from Atlas Restaurant Group, and so I'm pretty optimistic that we'll be able to uh finalize the lease and bring that to uh the council in the next couple months.

Uh Hotel Merydale, which is another project that we previewed uh with this committee, is also known as the ambassador project.

That is being drafted.

Um, and so we're I'd say probably maybe a month or so away from filing that legislation as well.

Um, the Culinary Institute of America, which I know you're all very familiar with.

Uh we've we are uh 60 days into our 90-day due diligence period.

So the DIA board in April approved uh moving forward with a proposal with corner lot and aspect to um secure Culinary Institute of America on Bay Street, and so we've been meeting uh essentially bi-weekly with the development team and working to create a draft or create a term sheet that will be presented to the DIA board, hopefully within that 90-day period, although we've given ourselves uh up to 180 days to complete that.

Uh Snyder Memorial Church disposition.

Um we've got a couple sort of real estate issues to deal with.

Um, one is just finalizing an easement with the adjacent property, but we've been working with that property owner, and the easement is drafted, and um hopefully that will be finalized, and the intent is to put out a formal disposition for uh Snyder, probably towards the um end of the summer August, September time frame.

We've been doing a lot of um outreach and tours of the uh property and engaging with potential uh developers for that.

Uh so we want to continue that process, and then when we put it out, we have a course decona silence, so we're unable to do that.

So we're just kind of building um interest in the property right now.

Design guidelines.

Uh, we have an RFQ which closes um tomorrow or on Thursday, and that will be um hiring a consultant to review our current design guidelines um and hopefully make them a little bit more streamlined and um uh usable for for developers.

And then we're also working on what we call the digital twin.

This is essentially a digital model um that we'll be able to use for planning purposes so we're working with IT um so a lot of this will be done in-house um but in terms of creating the actual buildings that you'll see in the digital model um that will be um a third party so we'll have an RFP on the street um soon for that and then last but not least um and you'll see this in the presentation uh that's coming up is the downtown sort of storytelling and investment narrative um so tomorrow I'll present at the DIA board um some funding to put towards that effort which is really just kind of capturing everything that we want to say in a unified voice and we're doing that in partnership with DVI uh okay thank you uh just is that the only slide or is there another one I have one more on RTA so I'm happy to take questions.

Okay I just have two two questions um the Culinary Institute of America did their board give any indication on wasn't there a vote or something that was happening with their board so what I understand is that the CIA did meet this was a discussion item but they haven't uh formally made any announcement I think they are working to kind of coordinate uh with the local parties here to make a a more formal announcement okay I thought that was supposed to happen at their board meeting in June is that they did meet they met last week um I do think there was a this this item was discussed but they were kind of they didn't want to make a formal announcement at that time I think they want to wait and do it in partnership with um with the folks here.

That's really unfortunate because we passed a ordinance for them for that meeting.

So if they're listening it seems like we just did that for nothing.

No I think they they needed that in order to have that meeting and have that discussion I think they just didn't want to make a formal announcement without uh working with with you all in the city.

So I think that's why you haven't heard a uh headline so that's fine we'll we'll take that offline but my under my impression was it could have been a resolution but people said stood right there that dias and said no it has to be an ordinance because they want to know we've got skin in the game and they got a board meeting we got to get this guy to get this so we'll take it offline but I don't like that.

Second thing is is there any update on the iLife building I don't see that on the list I know that's something that you've been kind of going back and forth on.

They've reached out to us um there was an issue with unpaid property taxes on that um property which we did our due diligence and discovered that um we were told by the current owners that they have now paid their property taxes okay um so they are interested in coming in for a DDRB or completion grant um but in my view given the work that we've been doing with this committee and putting out sort of priorities and understanding the fiscal constraints that that we're up against we have not sort of moved that project forward um so they may come to us again but okay we'll bring that of course so they they cleared the they clear the hurdle though of the property taxes and the liens and all that that's what they've said yes.

Okay well at least the property taxes okay the ILife building there was it was on the list uh previously and I know that there was a snag and I think it was the property uh taxes and liens and I think they've uh cleared that I've got a meeting with them lined up uh this week perhaps today I'll have to go look at that but anyways just wanted to ask um if there if there was a project update on that uh all right I think we can go to the next you have one more slide just one more um just a preview as we've been doing with the committee uh so this is going to tomorrow's um sorry Mr.

but hold on one second did you want to ask questions on the updates?

Get on can you get on the mic?

Do you have questions regarding the projects or something else?

Okay.

Go ahead and hop on the mic.

Yep.

Go now.

And then do you have a question on these?

No?

Okay.

I uh what was uh was that was not on cue?

Ms.

Chairman.

Was that not on cue?

I don't know.

Oh, okay that I was just curious because okay.

Um the uh public gateway project.

Uh would you explain the um the incentive that the city needs to make this happen?

So the current I know I know generally what it is, but I'd like to know uh exactly.

So the the current incentive uh um package that we've presented to excuse me with certain talber, I'm I want to wait until my colleagues are um through getting straightened out there.

Okay, go ahead.

So the the current incentives uh that are that were filed in the legislation um is a 28.25 million dollar completion grant uh for the entire project.

So I I know we sometimes refer to it as the public's project.

It's it's really a large mixed use project with you know the apartments, uh uh parking structure and the grosser.

Yes, for the public and the and the whole project.

Yes, for the entire project, um, which I think is in excess of 140 million dollars.

Uh-huh, um of which the public's is a piece of that, but obviously the majority is really the uh the apartments in the parking garage in terms of cost.

Um so that that is the incentive package.

There's also a rev.

Um, and I don't have the exact figures for the the rev.

We can certainly give you that.

I just don't have it off the top of my head, but there's a rev on the project as well.

Well, if I said 10 million, would that be close or I think it is closer to um probably 20 million in terms of um I'll put an EST by the repayment?

Yeah.

I want to say the total incentive package is around 46 million if you include the the Rev.

Um I know the cash completion grant piece of it is 28.25 million.

Okay.

There is a retail enhancement um grant that is specific to the public's as well, which is which is smaller.

What when would the completion grant be due?

The completion grant would be due.

So it's obviously due after substantial completion.

The project is they they plan to break ground uh at least do the demolition this year.

Um so I'd say it's probably an 18-month um construction project for some for substantial completion.

So I'm doing the um the calendar in my head right now, so if if they completed it, it would probably be towards the end of calendar year 2027.

So it may go into calendar year 2028.

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

I would say oriented 28.

It's just the way it always works.

And uh the culinary institute vote.

I know that there was some money earmarked for that.

Um do you think that they're having um any concerns with the possible referendum?

Um, and is the referendum sitting down?

Uh uh is that projecting any concerns with the developments that are out there that we have an earmark money for yet the state referendum on property.

Yeah, that pesky uh state rep uh referendum that's coming up in November that's gonna strip us of a lot of money.

Yeah, if that unfortunately passes, then I think that that's probably a bigger issue for for the budget in terms of just uh essential services as well as development.

Um I think from a DIA perspective, we we have little control over what happens with that.

Um so we we are moving forward full steam ahead on all of the projects, um, but also thinking through strategies in case the fiscal situation is is more challenging to figure out if and how we could get projects completed.

We have such great momentum going right now.

It would be um it would be a huge setback if we can't get a number of these catalytic projects completed.

But my question is, do you feel any hesitation from uh the culinary institute at all on that?

I'm not trying to you know, I don't think so.

I just want to know uh or any of the other um um development projects out there.

Not at this time.

I think everyone is moving forward um very optimistically on getting all these projects complete, knowing that there is this issue out there, but at this point, um no one is sort of hesitating if that's your question.

Like the ox being slid to the slaughter, okay.

We gotta really educate our our public uh on that issue.

But um that's all I have, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

You good continue?

Okay, all right.

Continue, Ms.

Turber.

Sure.

Uh and then this is just a a preview for what is tomorrow.

Our DIA board meeting um was was postponed from last week, so we're a little off cycle just due to quorum.

Um but this will be presented tomorrow.

Um, this is the Artea project, which I'm sure you're very familiar with on the South Bank along broadcast place um adjacent to the river's edge.

Um so this is a fairly new apartment project, and the developer approached uh DIA in the city with a really kind of creative um creative program concept here.

There's a currently there's a rev uh on the project.

Um I believe it's about a 15 year rev.

I think we're maybe one year into it.

Um the total value of that rev is uh is a not to exceed 6.3 million dollars.

Um, as rents increase and as um demand for for more as if you look at what's being built on the South Bank, a lot of it is higher end residential uh luxury, um, which is which is great.

At the same time, uh we do sort of forecast the need to continue to have workforce housing um in that area.

Um, Baptist Health, there's a number of of employers on the South Bank that have employees who can't you know afford the um the luxury product, and so this is an opportunity for us to uh preserve about 70 units in this building um at 120 percent AMI or below, uh which is in the workforce category, workforce housing category, using you essentially using the Rev.

Um so it's in some ways if you're just doing the math, um the city is uh not spending any money because we've already agreed to the Rev.

Uh, but this would be providing the Rev grant value up front.

So we would give them the developers six point three million dollars today, of which we would have rebated back to them over the period of the uh the rev grant, and in exchange for that, we are gonna get a 30-year uh land use restriction for those 70 units.

Um DIA is participating, so two million of the 6.3 will come from DIA, and then the 4.3 will come from the city.

That will be paid essentially, let's say now, and then once the rev is removed, those taxes will come back to uh DIA in this in the city in the same amount of six point three million dollars.

So there's a bit of a time cost of up there, but in sense of um, but it's basically the idea of exchanging the rev um value for affordable units.

So we see it as a win-win and an opportunity and probably well uh probably a very limited opportunity to do something like this creative to establish that workforce housing um on the South Bank.

Okay, cool.

We'll pause right there before we uh I think we're gonna bring up Ms.

Eshcom next, but uh Councilmember Salem, you're in the queue, so you're recognized.

Thank you, Chair.

Through the chair, uh Mr.

Talbert.

It sounds like this is a way of getting around a completion grant.

In terms of giving all the money up front, but it's a Rev grant, but we're paying it all up front.

Am I am I missing something?

You're not missing anything.

I think there was not a completion grant on on this project, it was just a rev grant.

So we're converting the Rev grant value to a payment today in exchange for additional benefits, which is the 70 units.

But when the rev gets when the rev is removed, they'll be paying full taxes on the property.

So we're still gonna receive the 6.3 million dollars from the taxes as opposed to if we had both a rev grant and a completion grant.

How many years would the rev grant be paid out?

If it was a Rev grant, you're saying I think it was 15 years.

So at the end of 15 years, they're gonna pay 100% of the taxes they owe.

Is that what I hear you saying?

So once they receive the 6.3 million dollars, the rev goes away and they're paying full taxes thereafter forever.

Okay.

I'm so here.

I'll clear the deck on this.

This is a g this is a not a new project.

This is existing today.

It is currently has a rev grant on it.

They're eliminating the rev grant, and we're taking the value of the Rev grant over those 15 years, and we're giving it to them in form of a completion grant is ultimately what it is.

So that they can change some of these units, uh, 71 units they're switching to workforce units.

Thank you, Colleague.

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

I I'm just concerned that is this a trend where we're gonna call it a rev grant and and actually it's actually a completion grant.

I don't think so.

I think this is we we looked at that because DIA is also participating and in about a third of the cost.

We I think this one is is sort of unique and that we have an opportunity.

So I I was not aware of this.

Right.

But it's uh it's very educational for me.

Thank you, Chair.

Yeah, and I'll make sure I know I've had conversations.

This is a corner lot development project.

I'll make sure that their um person comes and speaks with you about more of the details.

I did have a conversation with the administration, Mike Weinstein about where that 4.3 million is coming from.

Um and Mr.

Weinstein in that meeting.

This is and Mr.

Peterson, you were in that meeting as well, because that was the big sticking point.

And there was ultimately a large I don't know, what was like 15 million or something of recapture dollars that were coming in to the city, and we were gonna use that 4.3 out of those newly discovered recapture funds.

Is that more or less it, Mr.

Peterson?

Or am I missing it?

Uh to the chair, you're correct.

The well the dollar amount is 8.3 million of the recapture.

Okay.

Um, however, do you have a bill pending before you that the administration filed using that 8.3?

So that those a small wrinkle into that discussion.

About a four million dollar wrinkle.

Yeah.

Cool.

Well, we need to figure out what's going on with that.

There will be a discussion there.

That's where the money's got to come from.

Otherwise, this doesn't work.

So okay.

Any other there's no one else in the queue.

So I think that is pretty much it.

Great.

Thank you.

All right.

Ms.

Edgecombe, come on down.

Good morning.

How are y'all?

Okay, let's see.

That's the presentation.

All right, there we go.

All right.

Well, we're gonna go ahead and transition over to actually looking at what um this expanded um special committee on the future of downtown was able to accomplish this year.

Um, this set this cycle session, as well as look at what the recommendations are um as we go forward.

Um this is meant to be a presentation, not a full report.

We are looking for feedback from not only y'all, but as well as other council members, um, members of the mayor's office, whatnot.

Anything that um you'd like to see identified in the final report.

Um, and then those of us that have been actively engaged in the work will work um just a bit longer and harder to finalize the report um and have it to you by the start of uh the next, hopefully the next expanded special committee on the future of downtown for 26-27.

Just to remind you all the charge, the charge, the charge itself looked at strengthening how like the future of downtown and what we can do to strengthen what Jacksonville's planning for, how it governs, how it invests in its urban core.

We really wanted to look at the systems that were in place, where were their opportunities, what was already working, what could we do to better ensure that everything that we're doing today lasts for generations into the future.

We wanted to make sure that this momentum that we are experiencing right now is true renderings through reality, making sure that we have everything in place that will that's necessary in order to sustain that.

So what we examined, we looked at for focus area one, which was centered around public space stakeholders and agencies.

We were looking at mapping alignment and recommendations for changes and improvements to make those that particular system better.

We centered on public space governance and management.

We examined the ecosystem of the public agencies as well as the nonprofit organizations, the public-private partnerships, and our civic stakeholders involved in downtown's public realm in general.

There are, as if you'll recall, a lot of individuals.

There are some key players that we're gonna look at here in a framework in just a moment, but understanding that it wasn't about any one particular agency or organization, it really again is looking at what they all do, figuring out there's overlap, looking at redundancies, looking at ways we can improve those systems to make sure that we are using dollars in a way that is best suited for the overall experience for the entire city, not just those who live, work, and play in downtown.

So we looked at several core areas.

As I mentioned, the roles and responsibilities, the operations, maintenance, and enhanced service deliveries, programming, activation, a bit coordination.

You heard over this last year skyrocketed numbers on the amount of visitors that we have, the types of activations that we have are much more diverse.

We have people coming into our downtown not only on the weekends now, but also in the evenings and during the day.

At any given point, you can come into downtown and you can recognize that it's not just those who are in an office building, it is those who are wanting to use our public spaces.

And so we also identified where the positioning was on marketing communication and communications, as well as kind of, you know, this age-old question of what is Jackson Hall's identity.

We looked at metrics accountability and public reporting, as well as the opportunities for pilot projects in and near-term implications, I'm sorry, implementations.

Our key findings was that downtown has many strong partners, but not a fully aligned system.

As I mentioned, there's a lot of players who do a lot of work, and that's not only on the private side, clearly that's on the public side as well.

Um, and we've got to find a better system for alignment.

Um the roles and responsibilities need greater clarity.

Again, um, while everyone has a fairly strong idea of what they shouldn't be doing, not everyone's always aware of what they should be doing, and so we do need to look at and finalize and kind of putting some buckets together on what um what not only is based off of what everyone wants to do, but also what's really needed and who can do it best.

We know that downtown requires sustainable funding and capacity.

Again, that's from the public side and the private side.

Um we need more consistent activation and event density.

As I mentioned, we are light years ahead of where we were five years ago, but there's still more to come, and there's still a greater need.

Um we do need a unified marketing and positioning strategy, as um Mr.

Tarbart had just mentioned.

There are, and you'll see it on a slide here shortly.

There, um we will be over the next year moving forward in that exercise, looking forward from the DBI lens to be partnering with DIA on that.

Um, and then probably the biggest takeaway, that it's not that it wasn't known, but I think we now need to be better about actually saying it, and that's that public space should be treated as an economic development.

The economic opportunities around public space and what that can do, not only from the quality, critical quality of life side, which we know is very, very important, but also looking at it from a business standpoint.

Our public space can and should be used as an economic development tool.

So our work completed to date.

The ecosystem review, as mentioned, part of the work was just another questionnaire and to a ton of critical stakeholders within the downtown realm to get a better idea of what they do, how they're governed, what hurdles they have, where they need to find what opportunities they have found, partnerships that they need.

Again, we spent a lot of time really having some serious conversations with the different players in downtown.

That's everyone from as I you're gonna see the five critical to those like the cultural council, right?

Like they are a key player in this system.

So we we spoke with everyone, got a really good handle on what they were doing as well as what they would like to be doing in the future, so we can figure out how to work better together.

Um stakeholder outreach.

There are amazing advocacy organizations in our city, specifically around downtown and our river, and making sure that they have been part of conversations.

The next phase will really include them more than we did during this particular phase, mainly because we were trying to look at the private, the public entities and departments within the city as well as the critical P3s that are working within the downtown area.

But as we move forward, those stakeholders aren't only the advocacy groups, but they're also as we're looking at at the work that's being done by the DIA and within the CRA, we have a lot of private developers, a lot of private institutions, and a lot of private dollars.

That it matters what those stakeholders are thinking and wanting as well.

So we will continue that we we've done some of that, it will be continuing again.

Um, identification of key gaps, which I just mentioned, the downtown collaboration framework, which you're gonna see here in a moment, and then key legislation will be introduced.

I will talk about the legislation here shortly as we get closer to the end.

Okay, the downtown collaboration framework.

This baby is there's a lot of people who put a lot of work into this, and so I just want to publicly thank them for the work that they did to be able to come to basically what's a one-sheeter.

Yes, there's a lot of copy on there, but you have to understand that is a lot less than what we started with.

Um, but this looks at shared governance, um, it also looks at uh clear roles, opportunities that we can work together.

You'll see across the top, it is um parks, who we like to call where parks become places.

That's their fun little tagline.

Public works, they're the get-it-built crew, because they build everything for us.

Uh, downtown vision, we are downtown's heartbeat.

Uh the Jacksonville Riverfront Alliance, so excited to finally be able to have them on the slide with us.

Um, their tagline is create a better sense of place along the downtown riverfront.

And then, of course, the downtown investment authority.

They are the vision and investment engine.

Um, when you look on this particular one-sheeter, you're also gonna see to the right the additional partners.

I mentioned there's a lot of people who do a lot of work.

Um, and so we identified those that receive city dollars only on this slide because this is again meant to be looked at through the lens of those that are the stewarding public dollars.

Along the bottom, you'll see framework opportunities.

So we know that these agencies and organizations can work together around programming and experience, around marketing and communications, around fundraising and sponsorships, around governance strategy and public support, much of what we're doing today, um, as well as the data research and reporting.

Um, those are opportunities where we all have a place within them, and we will be working over the next year to really finalize and figure out how to do that better, as well as making sure that we're doing it not only better, but to the betterment and the and to the benefit of our downtown public spaces.

Ongoing initiatives.

This I think is also really critical that we talk about, mainly because there's been a lot of work going on, and I think that at the end of the day, I would be remiss if I didn't speak to these.

So things that you know, ongoing initiatives, these were happening prior to this particular convening of this special committee, um, and they will be continuing long into the future.

Um, clearly, our public space investments, we over the last prior administrations, there's been a lot that has come forward in advancing our responsibility for parks and riverfront spaces and our streetscapes and our trails and our civic spaces.

There's dollars that are being put into infrastructure, as well as really not only investing dollar wise, but also investing time.

For individuals who are making sound decisions, such as your yourself as well as those in the public, understanding what the investments are going towards, why they're critical, why they're important, it's a learning lesson, right?

There's a lot of education that's had to happen.

And so the investment of your time as well as your ear to listen in addition to the dollars.

Economic development, redevelopment, Colin or Mr.

Tarbert has just gone through a lot of what has happened in just this year, and he'll talk a little bit more in his part of the presentation.

But it's important that we recognize that this particular committee has been supporting policies and policy recommendations in order to encourage redevelopment and adaptive reuse, as well as putting dollars towards the public realm.

From the identity and place management, DVI within our agreement with the city is responsible for marketing and communications for downtown.

That is something that DVI is very much looking forward to advancing in the future, understanding now that as downtown has changed, so does the narrative around downtown.

You're gonna see this beautiful downtown Jacksonville logo that's on the bottom of the page.

That logo is not DVI's logo, that logo is for downtown Jacksonville.

It was birthed out of DVI many years ago, but it is downtown's logo, right?

And so it's one of those things where we want to make sure that that's being seen everywhere.

And when someone sees that logo, they know that it represents downtown Jacksonville.

So looking at how we move forward in that, really the biggest and most critical part from the I would say for DVI and the JRA both is creating a stronger sense of place and community pride.

It's something that foundationally we both stand on very hard.

And so we are looking forward to not only doing like continuing the work that we've been doing, but really working more collaboratively collaboratively moving forward to make that even stronger.

That goes along with the vibrancy and experience as well.

Legislative and administrative pathways, I am really excited, and this is a big win for the city council as well as the mayor's office.

Um, one of the things that we had recommended a few meetings ago was for a downtown public space project manager, someone that could essentially be able to herd the cats of those organizations that are on that framework slide, have a really strong look and focus on downtown, the public spaces in general, what those look like, everything from right-of-ways to parks, and the mayor's office approved for that full-time position to be within the parks department.

So kudos to the mayor's office for that.

And then you'll hear here in a little bit when we talk about appropriations of some dollars.

Uh, the dollars from this special committee, the dollars to pay for that particular position will be appropriated this after later today.

So excited, that's a huge win.

Probably I would argue the biggest win right now that we are gonna have a full-time position that actually gets to help us administer all and implement all the work that we have been that we have been doing collectively.

Interagency working sessions already, the DIA public works and parks as well as DBI meet regularly.

Um, what that looks like moving forward will be shifting based on not only just project updates, but then again, the needs of this project, this downtown public space project manager, as well as some of the other P3s that were mentioned, really finding more ways.

So interagency within the city, but then also having meetings that are including stakeholders who are including those who activate placemaking jacks through DVI has a whole slew of people that would be really um important to be in those meetings as well.

So help, you know, not only continuing the work, but um, we already have plans for how to make that move forward, data research and performance.

Again, a downtown vision is um as one of our responsibilities to the city is to um track is to is to house the research for downtown and to track the data.

We already have um dashboards on our system now that look at the data points that we currently have felt have been critical what we've learned over this last year though is the data that people are asking for and the data that people need and I when I say people I mean whether it's a city agency or it's someone who is uh bragging you know colliers when they're bragging on all the all the wins in downtown Jacksonville when they're attacking um attracting retail or a fortune 500 company who wants to attract talent they look to those data points and they're asking us for more and so part of the work um our director of research is actively working now on updating those dashboards as well as looking at um other cities and what they have done um successfully to be able to be getting as much information out as possible so that we're all speaking from from the same lens and from the same um the same data points because you can't argue with data right so um and I won't lie um as as I had said in the last meeting I'm very proud of our site of downtown this year um it is it's a testament to the work and the commitment and the momentum that's actually going on marketing and communications I already briefly touched on that again uh DVI is is um in our um in our requirements of the city is to um market and communicate what downtown has and all that it has to offer um we are going to be strengthening the storytelling as I mentioned with DIA um and then also the community engagement part I already talked on that the one that I want to add just real quickly is this cost analysis a cost analysis and financial budgeting over the next year so throughout these exercises what we've noticed is that we you know we know that we need the public investment right we need dollars we need private dollars well what exactly do we need those for how much do things really cost um so part of the plan over the next year is to hone in on what all of these um whether it's maintenance whether it's operations whether it is um the storytelling piece what what does everything really cost that will help us budget better in the future it helps us when we come to city council and to the mayor's office looking um for the city contribution side of that and responsibility in that and and what we really want to focus on over this next year is being much more fiscally responsible when it comes to knowing where the dollars came from knowing where they're going it'll help us as we are outlining and finalizing the framework.

Okay, we have a question right now Salem.

Thank you chair through the chair to Ms.

Edchcombe I lost you for a second going back to the position you were talking about to I I think manage a project manager I think you said was kind of fast.

Oh so it but you said it was being approved today tomorrow can you elaborate there is that going to be included in next year's budget or or just if you could just enlighten me a little bit of course uh through the chair to Councilman Salem yes so um the downtown public space project manager is a position that um will live in the parks department mayor's office approved um and then there will be the dollars appropriated to pay for that position will be there's legislation that we will talk about here in just a little bit where the the the dollars are appropriated out of the 2.6 million um that city council put below the line at the beginning of the budget or the beginning of this fiscal year those dollars 1300 out of that will come from this committee appropriated to pay for that position as it was a recommendation from this committee.

Through the chair to Mr.

Peterson can you elaborate on this 2.6 million dollars that's below the line through the chair to council Salem you may recall in uh part of finance budget hearings last year there was talks of entering into a contract with the Jacksonville River Alliance for operation of the downtown parks because the details hadn't been worked out.

2.6 million was put below the line.

It's still sitting there below the line.

And so I believe what Mitch Miss Edgecombe is referring to is bringing those dollars above the line and using a portion of them for this position.

So that position through the chair could be could be brought on immediately.

It's not waiting for next year's budget.

Through the chair, that's correct.

We'll have to do an analysis to make sure that there's enough funding in this the dollars that are brought above the line, or otherwise we'll have to supplant it with dollars in next year's budget.

So there'll be there'll have to be dollars in the parks department to cover this position long term in the in the 2627 budget.

Through the chair to Council of Salem, that's correct.

If there's not enough in out of the 2.6 to fund it for the remainder of this year and next year, but going forward, it would be a position in the parks department.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And Mr.

Joseph is here if yeah if he wants to chime in on that later or at any point.

Um ahead, Miss Eshcombe.

Okay.

So the projects to performance approach.

When we talk about recommendations um for the future, though, it's easier than, and we're gonna list some like specifics, but I just high level wanted to help to better communicate that what we're looking for now is projects, right?

Like projects create assets and systems determine outcomes.

Projects are important and they are critical, but when we do them together, and when we move out of this project by project by project space, which we have done successfully, you know, started that journey, we move to a place where we now need to make sure that we are taking into account that there's things that happen after our project is completed.

Whatever that project is, I don't mean just like a building, right?

Um, and so this project to performance approach, it is we want to continue the work that we're doing.

We want to continue the special committee.

We'd like for this special committee to go into 26-27.

We want to continue um honing in on what is necessary in order to make sure that our downtown public spaces are aligned and that they are able to be sustained.

Um so continuing implementing implementation is critical.

It's great that if we do a bunch of work or if we write a bunch of reports, but if we're not actually putting into practice what we are up here talking about, then um, then what's the point basically?

Strengthening.

So we want to strengthen what we're all what we already know to be successful.

We want to strengthen that um collaboratively.

We want to strengthen that in our own individual um organizations, um, going really granular, but also again strengthening and then strengthening for the general public the understanding and importance of uh public spaces, prioritizing public space has to be a priority, bottom line.

It is just that simple.

We have to prioritize public spaces, expanding them.

We uh again that economic investment into the riverfront, making sure that those parks we keep those dollars in in the CIP.

The same for James Walton Johnson Park.

You know, we do have plans already in place to be able to really expand and grow, and we need to make sure that those plans stay.

Investing, that's the piece that's again the time as well as the dollars.

Advancing, so advancing meaning remembering that what we talk about today will be different tomorrow and different the next day, and so we cannot only sit in one space and only be working off of uh of a conversation that we had, right?

Like advancing, making sure that we are always staying at the forefront of research, of understanding better what people need and want, not what we think they need and want, but what they're actually telling us they need and want.

Um, really making sure that we are doing our jobs to better help make sure that y'all as council as well as the mayor's office, understand what's going on in the public realm, um, and then really advancing in our knowledge to make sure that we can help y'all do the same.

Support um Ms.

Edgecombe, let's just let's just go past it.

We don't need to be a lot of people.

I appreciate that, thank you.

Okay, um, clearly risks of inaction.

You guys know this.

I don't have to necessarily say it.

Um, but the biggest concern is that if we don't, if we if if this just kind of ends and we're all left to be um, we fear that um all the dollars and all the time that it's already been invested um will come to not or to downtown Armageddon as AI helped us put together.

We had to have some fun, you guys.

If you only knew how much work we put into this, um but yes, like this in our mind is like what will happen if we don't do anything.

Downtown Jacksonville's success is determined by coordinated urban systems and part of those urban systems include this is Lara Street which in 2015 was named the most walkable was named one of the most walkable streets in America and right now we have a lot of private and public dollars going into this particular corridor um and this particular corridor is going to show how coordinated urban systems work and work well um you have public parks this dead ends into the river so then that incorporates the river as well this over the next year I'm and then we have our private developers who are very very tied into understanding um urban like urban planning in general but how it really how we can make this corridor uh the most walkable again so this is this is this is the this is kind of in my mind the baseline of what we'll be looking at as we go into this next year and with that I'm gonna turn it over to Colin unless you have any other questions.

I don't have anyone in the queue so Mr.

Tarbert come on down.

Great so I'm gonna go ahead and uh go through focus areas two and three of the special committee charge.

So focus area two was CRA development strategy and process review and recommendations for changes andor approvements.

And so I just want to highlight a number of the themes and major accomplishments that I feel like we've made since this committee regrouped which was in October of last year.

So first I think was the improved alignment and coordination and this was something that the the chair requested it was reviewing as we just did today the major projects and policy issues before kind of the DIA board took took any actions on those that we could get your feedback and input accordingly we've also kind of tweaked some of our resolution language around what the DIA board is recommending versus approving versus what the city council is actually approving and funding.

So within the DIA we have the ability to approve revs but we do not have the ability to approve completion grants and fund those that's all within the authority of the council and so we want to make that distinction clear which we've done the second one I know this is something that the chair definitely asked for at the beginning of this process which was kind of the strategic project review.

And so that was that was the list I think uh the chair described it kind of as this conveyor belt and projects coming to you as as the council without kind of having the full picture of what is in the pipeline and so we spent a lot of time going through embedding projects and presenting that to you all so that you have a better sense of what um what the comprehensive picture is which I think has been helpful to all of us.

In terms of more disciplined resource allocation this is really kind of the discussion of what the CRA can fund versus what we need the city council and the city's support on some of the smaller projects DIA has been budgeting for so the Mags Cafe and Monroe Street project DIA is funding that we did not ask for general funds for that as we move forward with Snyder Memorial DIA is put forth about 4.5 million dollars for that project so we don't anticipate any general fund asked for for for that project and then as we move to um riverfront plaza um development with gateway um you know those those funds are going to come from from DIA we do still have a number of requests you're all very familiar with for completion grants from the general fund but again we're trying to be as disciplined as we can to not rely on the general fund for that.

And then um last but not least, the stronger accountability and results um we'll talk a little bit about this, I think, in the next focus area.

But just the way that we're doing our underwriting and incentive review um we want to do that in a very transparent and objective way as much as possible.

So and before yeah, but you can go to the next slide.

I got one person in the queue, and then I just want to make a comment on the um kind of the list of all the projects that I guess are still in the pipeline, but I know this committee and the full council has put money towards a lot of those completion grants or whatever.

So who's housing the list, so to speak?

And we work with Mr.

Peterson to uh update that regularly, so we both have the same information at the same time.

Okay, can't is that something that like can be sent out soon?

Just like an updated one?

Okay, cool.

The Salem chart, as my colleague right here has said.

Um yeah, just whenever like maybe later today or tomorrow if it's that easy.

Um okay, Councilmember Salem, go ahead.

Is your question on these?

Okay, go ahead.

Through the chair, Mr.

Talbert, how much money does your CRA generate on a yearly basis?

Uh yeah.

When I say I'm your budget that dollars that you get through the tax increment.

Uh through the chair, and I know Mr.

Parole is behind me, so if he wants to uh come up and make sure I get this accurate because it he has it in his head, um there's there's obviously two TIFF boundaries, South Bank, technically there's three, but South Bank and North Bank, um I'm gonna ask Guy to come up because I do not want to give the wrong information.

If he can separate them, that would be helpful, or if he just knows the total.

I'm just curious.

Thank you.

Thank you through the through the chair.

Um, if we look at FY27, the one that's coming up, we're gonna get about 18 million in the combined North Bank and 7.5 million in round numbers to the South Bank.

Uh this this current fiscal year was an anomaly in the North Bank because we're expecting a big loan payout by the score.

And so this year's budget was 40, this upcoming year is 18 for the North Bank and seven seven and a half for the South Bank.

But before you have the payouts, what's the total?

What's the big number before you pay things out?

18 million North Bank round, 7.5 million South Bank round.

Okay, thank you.

I know he'd do a better job than I would.

Oh, yeah.

All right, next slide, I guess.

Sure, and I think we we we touched on some of these, but these are just some of the examples um of projects that um I just mentioned in terms of prioritizing CRA funding for.

Um, so you see the three examples there that I made.

Um in terms of projects review, just to kind of remind this committee uh of the work that we've done.

We've taken three of the projects, um, although if you guys you can count our Artia uh if we just did, but uh we took the N N7 project to you all prior to board approval, the Baptist Health Um Hotel Project, and then um more recently the Hotel Merydale project um before this committee again to get get input prior to uh DIA action.

And then in terms of some of the strategic dispositions that we've done with this committee as well, um 330 East Bay Street.

You'll remember we presented the massing study as well as the um the disposition um to you all to and then brought it to DIA.

We also talked about the riverfront plaza restaurant site um here at this committee, and then um we also discussed the demolition which is occurring now of the Mosh site uh with this committee.

So to get your input as as we've moved forward with uh these strategic dispositions and um projects.

And then um I want to I want to thank Ina for putting these slides together um just to kind of remind like everyone of what's been happening in downtown and and obviously this has been years in the making.

Um and I want to show these because for me coming into this position um the strategy that has been set forth, you know, prior to my arrival, is absolutely working.

Um, and so my charge coming in was to continue that momentum to make sure frankly I didn't drop the ball.

And uh as you'll see, I think you know, over the last um 10 months or so uh we've we've kept it going um with a lot of uh partnership and hard work, but in terms of some of the major milestones, uh now named the Vanderbilt, Van Der Veer, which was N11, um, that's topped out, and that'll open uh later this year, and for additional um apartment project that is topped out open next year, the four seasons, um it's really happening.

Um it that is also topped out and will open next summer, and then um I know the number of you were at the uh related groups uh groundbreaking, which is now underway as well, which I think um was a question is it really happening and it's absolutely happening.

And then this slide again, this is kind of kudos to to to everyone who was part of these projects, and there are many people, but this is just a list of all the things that have been completed um since this special committee um reconvened.

So I won't go through all of them there, but you see lots of ribbons.

Um, and I know many of you have participated in these project openings.

Um, but these are projects that have been completed again in the last 10 months or so.

Um, and it's a range of projects from large-scale um office buildings and apartment buildings to small businesses opening to historic renovations to new constructions to grocery stores.

Um if anyone doubts what's happening in downtown Jacksonville, you can just look at this this slide right here and be pretty impressed.

All right.

Yep.

Uh and we have Councilmember Matt Carlucci on the queue.

Go ahead.

Uh thank you, Ms.

Chair.

Um, I I just want to make a comment here, and that is how much I appreciate the DIA.

Look, these projects are because of the hard work of the DIA.

Uh we sit up here as a committee, um, a special committee on the future of downtown.

But DIA is who makes it happen.

And we're good partners, and the mayor's good partners, no doubt.

But this is a testament to the downtown investment authority, why it was put together, and the work that you and others before you have done.

And um, and it's just all kind of come together, and we've got this great momentum going.

And sometimes we fuss about incentives and this and that and the other, but we we just about all up here voted for them.

And I just think it's amazing what's happening downtown, and how many mayors before this one have uh would give their right arm to see all this going on, you know, at one time.

This is an exciting time to be um on the DIA board, uh, to be a citizen in Jacksonville, uh, to be a council member, to be a mayor, um, to just be a community um member, uh, and and all those ribbon cuttings.

Sometimes we wouldn't have more than one of those a year in the past.

And um, and when I look at that, I just think wow, that's when I talk when I talk about to my constituents the momentum that we have in Jacksonville, that's that's what I'm talking about.

And when they talk to me about how excited they are about Jacksonville's progress and momentum, that's what they're talking about.

And uh so I just want to place the compliment where it belongs, and that's on the downtown investment authority, you, your board, your staff, and all of those who support you, the DIV, Ms.

Edgecombe, and just so many others.

Um, and so uh I uh just had to take a moment to congratulate July you and all that have helped put this together uh with with the help of the mayor's administration and the council linking arms and uh boy, we made some progress, and we got so much more coming our way.

Um so that thank you very much.

Appreciate it.

On behalf of the team sitting behind me who've done much of the heavy lifting on this, and as you mentioned, folks that came before, thank you.

Very appreciated because years of hard work go into getting to that ribbon cutting.

So that was a perfect segue into your recommendations for moving forward.

Sure.

So uh in area two, um, you know, this there's a lot here, so I won't I won't cover all of it, but um one, I you know, I think that this committee in this format has been very helpful in getting us aligned and making sure that we all stay on the same page.

Um so continuing this, I think would be a benefit to all of us, continuing to present the projects, uh, maintaining the alignment, um, which I think is critical, um, not just between the special committee and DIA, but also with the administration and the mayor, I meet regularly with with the mayor and her team, as well as our stakeholders who are involved in this, making sure that we're all moving forward together, is absolutely critical.

Um, continue to involving or continue to evaluate um the project and looking at these hard from a feasibility standpoint as well as a public benefit as we've getting as we're getting more and more success.

Um I think that's giving DIA the ability to be a little bit more uh discerning over the projects that we recommend and fund, which is a good place to be.

Um we've heard you loud and clear, we're gonna prior prioritize CRA funding to do as much as possible.

Um then um as well as uh continuing to kind of be very clear in our distinction about what DIA's role is versus what the city council's role is.

Uh and then we I'll talk about this in the next um segment as well.

Um, but continuing the third-party fiscal analysis.

I think we've done one project that way, and we've got a number of projects that are coming.

Um I think that's that's been helpful for a number of reasons.

Uh and then lastly, kind of again looking at the redevelopment strategy.

We're and I'll talk about this also in slide or in the charge three, uh, but just looking at sort of different ways to fund projects.

I mean, this is a conversation that uh we've been having with with Councilman Salem about you know, completion grants isn't the only answer to every um project.

Um, and so just trying to see what other tools exist that might be applicable here.

Um we'll be work we're working on that now, and uh hopefully by the end of this year we'll have some results uh again from a from a third party just to give us some ideas and options.

Um I'll continue to focus area three.

So again, kind of talking.

Oh, sorry, hold on one second.

We have uh Councilmember Salem and EQ.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Chair.

To Colin, I appreciate your comments, but appreciate your flexibility in looking at alternatives, and I've been very much encouraged by the development community.

Um they have not thrown me in the river yet.

Um and I think they understand the position we're in, particularly as we look towards the November and what could happen in November, and that they understand it, and I think they're looking at alternatives as well.

So I think it's a the whole process, I think has been very positive.

Thank you.

Go ahead.

So in terms of focus area three, this was incentive program impact policy review and recommendations for changes or improvement.

Um, so we're we're actively working on this.

Um we have initiated a third-party financial review of all of our incentives.

Um so we actually have a call later this afternoon to kick that off.

Um, their team will be here next month to kind of start that process, and they the goal will be to try to finalize their analysis and recommendations by the end of the year.

Um, that's a joint team of BJH advisors and coincidentally Foresight Street Advisors.

They're both New York firms, and that was done through a competitive RFP process.

Um, I think in terms of the financial reviews that we've been doing again, third party that's added a bit more objectivity and also kind of a broader market perspective.

Um the first project that we did was Hotel Marydale with CHN Warnick, who has extensive hotel experience across the country, and so they were able to really kind of compare Jacksonville's market with a larger context that frankly we just don't have in-house.

We're also working through the uh the council has, I believe, approved uh some of the fees for this so that it's not just borne on the public, but as developers are coming in, there's a cost sharing for those third party costs to make sure that they have they being the development community has some skin in the game as well.

Uh as you'll see in the N7 legislation, we've added a public benefit aspect to the agreements, which provides upside participation for the city if the developer exceeds a certain um uh return, which is which is new.

Um we hadn't done that necessarily in the past on on these completion grant projects.

Um and then uh last I already talked about the um comprehensive review, and so this is just kind of a little bit more detail in terms of what I just spoke to.

So I don't think I need to to update that.

I will say that the incentive um study that we're doing along with the design guidelines that I mentioned earlier, uh, and the digital twin, all of those are leading towards an update to the overall CRA plan, which we hope to kick off next year.

We're kind of we're coming at the end of our five-year period and CRA plans are um expected to be updated every five years.

Um, Colin, real quick, on number four, the new like the the look back and the upside participation, which projects was was that done with or was it more of a N7 will be the first project where we've included that language.

So you'll see that as an exhibit to um to the RDA, and what that allows for is um if the developer exceeds a certain threshold, there's a cost, or I mean there's a revenue share, and then there's also um the ability for uh reviewing the project um post-construction, which we typically haven't done in terms of how the project's doing from an investment standpoint.

Okay, cool.

No, I just want to make sure I thought it was more than than one, but it's just N7 so far.

So far, but we we we expect that to be a template that we use for every RDA moving forward.

Okay, cool, good to know.

All right.

Let's uh go to the next item.

I think I covered that.

Um so again, in terms of just recommendations for moving forward.

Um I'd like to hopefully streamline the incentive um process and programs that we have.

Again, we'll kind of defer to the third party experts on on what that looks like.

Um I think I think I've covered most of these already.

Um, explore tax increment as a financing tool.

Um we've typically have not used used that.

It's at least I haven't seen that here in Jacksonville.

Um that was very standard in Baltimore as opposed to paying what we would refer to as pay-go.

Um we were actually able to bond tax increment and use that as a financing tool.

Again, whether that's appropriate or not for Jacksonville, I think is to be determined, but it's certainly a conversation that we could have.

And I think I kind of covered these in terms of the public benefit continuing that process and then strengthening um the reporting and compliance post completion.

And what was the recommendation for removing like some of the committee members and replacing them with other people?

I'm just kidding.

Go ahead.

Are you feeling lonely up there?

Very lonely.

No, we're good.

I got my staff here.

Oh, there he is.

Okay, good.

Keep going.

What slide are we on?

Uh, this is I believe the last slide that I have, which is really just the recommendations for focus area three, which is just continuing, I think what we've been doing.

And then again, when we have our um incentive review, we'll we'll present that, and then I think that'll have uh more specific recommendations.

Okay.

So I believe I'm gonna turn it over to Ms.

Edgecombe to Miss Edgecombe will bring it in for a landing.

All right.

Let's get this knocked out.

Okay, um, clearly all of that to say that downtown success will depend on us continuing doing what we've been doing, right?

Clear policy, predictable investment tools, well managed public realm, um, strong ops operations and stewardship, continued alignment with administration, city council, DIA, and downtown.

I've been in the downtown space for close to 14, almost 15 years, and have had the pleasure of working with prior administrations and prior um city councils, and I do have to just give a lot of kind of um like council member Matt Carlucci.

I it's it this is a different time and it's really wonderful to be a part of it.

So I do want to thank everyone for their um their willingness to work together.

Um, sustainable funding for opt operations maintenance and activation, and then of course a shared commitment, which I think we all definitely have.

Um these are the questions that we um ask ourselves whenever we were looking at what the recommendations for next year would look like.

Um are the policy structures and funding tools right?

Are project priorities and recommendations actually being implemented?

This goes back to the what we have to do to move forward.

Um, does downtown function and feel the way it should?

Is is the experience when others come in what we are hoping and wanting it to be?

Um are the public investments generating the desired outcomes?

Um, are our organizations aligned and accountable for the public dollars that they're spending and stewarding?

Um, and then what opportunities and barriers will define our next decade.

We're not again just looking at today, we are looking at what will be happening in the future.

And so our recommendations for potential focus areas um if this committee is expanded again in 26-27, um, is to look at from the strategic policy and investment framework side, um, the strong a strong CRA strategy, a unified downtown narrative, clearly incentives as Mr.

Tarbert had just talked about.

Uh, the tax increment financing, public investment criteria, and strategic dispositions.

Um, from the implementation delivery and accountability side, a sense of urgency.

We do know and we hear a lot of times that um, you know, well, when it comes or when everyone's here and it's like folks, we're already here.

So we need a sense of urgency, uh capital project delivery, private development tracking.

Um, that is something that we are asked a lot about.

Um, if how we're tracking that and how um how easily we can pull up data on what's going on within the private development world, timelines and milestones, really laying out um uh almost like KPIs for ourselves on what we want to make sure that we're accomplishing and in what in what time um we want to actually meet those milestones along the way.

And then if a milestone gets bumped, what do we do?

We need to have some plans for those things, as well as looking at um very holistically the public benefit, and then risk management and next actions.

And then last but certainly not least, the downtown experience and urban systems, clearly my baby.

Um, looking at park server walk in public spaces, our clean and safe services, our maintenance and activation, the lighting, the parking, the mobility, and the right-of-way management.

We didn't even touch that today and or this year because it's a whole committee on its own, but it is something that we do think that we um really need to be focusing on for this next year.

And of course, incorporating the community partners important supporting roles in downtown's operations, public realm management, mobility, safety, infrastructure, tourism, and cultural activation.

All of those are really important.

Those are all those partners that we had listed on the right side of the framework.

We, over this next year, um, regardless of the special committee um is expanded again, no matter what, that one's going to um definitely be a priority for everyone in this room.

And that is it from our uh potential focus areas and what we'd like to look at for next year.

I do know um that we do uh I'm I'm asking the question, Chair, legislation.

Would you like for Miss Shell to approach those, or would you like for you to do it or project for me to do that?

Yeah, perfect.

Cool.

All right, and just in case you're never back up at the podium uh for the rest of this meeting, Miss Edgecombe, thank you so much for all the work that you've done.

You've been kind of the workhorse uh behind the scenes, making all these meetings happen and making us, you know, think outside the box of how we can make downtown uh better and not just keep doing what we've been doing.

So I really truly appreciate your help.

So thank you.

You too, Colin.

You did a good job.

All right, Miss Shell, tell us what is outstanding for us on the legislative side.

Um I don't have anything in front of me.

Do you have some?

Okay, go ahead.

Yeah, so through the chair to the committee.

There are four items of potential legislation that could come out of the special committee, and I'd like to go over each of those with you now and kind of tell you where they're at.

The first one is the James Weldon Johnson Park.

The operations and management of that park is currently by um a company called I3 doing business as friends of Heming Park.

That contract is on its final extension, which will be done September 30th.

So something needed to be done either way.

Um, you had asked that we transfer operations and management to DVI.

So legislation is being drafted to do that.

Um currently outstanding is a contract.

The administration needs to negotiate those terms with DVI, and as soon as they have that contract done, can bring that before you all and you can um approve the filing of that legislation.

So for that, you I'm sorry, say that last part again.

Who needs to do what?

A contract needs to be negotiated between.

There was some discussion on who is going to oversee that contract.

My understanding now is it's gonna be the parks department, but they are working out the terms of that with DVI.

Okay, Daryl, Mr.

Joseph, how long do you think that'll take?

Good morning, Daryl Joseph Parks Department.

Uh, through the chair, so as relates to negotiating the agreement and body time, uh that agreement goes to a city council.

I would think a six-month window would be sufficient in order to do that.

So, Michelle, can you explain what we're talking about?

So, through the chair, uh I would file the legislation um to authorize the mayor and the corporation secretary to um contract with with DVI, the city to to contract with them for the operations and management.

So I just need a copy of that contract as an exhibit, and that legislation could be filed by this committee.

Okay, so a copy of the existing contract?

No, the contract that you want to enter into with DVI to take over the operations and management of the park.

Okay, so Mr.

Joseph, how long will that take?

Because there's an existing contract right now of what Friends of Dreams Walden Johnson Park is doing on our own.

So I'm assuming nothing's really gonna change except where it's housed.

So as relates to conversations that have been held, there are things that DVI do want to change.

So it wouldn't be the exact same contract.

Um the agreement currently expires September 30th.

Um we'll work directly with DVI to do that as efficient and effectively as possible.

Um, but from a from a terming term standpoint, that agreement expires September 30th.

Uh so we'll bring something back to city council as quickly as possible.

Um, but if we wanted to transfer that agreement to DVI, that's a short-term thing that you could do while we negotiate a longer term agreement with DBI.

Okay, we'll go to the next one.

Thank you.

The second piece of legislation is um you had asked to expand the bid boundary to match the CRA boundary, which will bring in a few more parcels into the bid.

That um special assessment legislation um is currently underworks.

The outstanding item is I need either an enhanced, a new enhanced municipal services agreement or an amendment to the current one.

Um, and the OGC attorney Rebecca LeVie, who's housed in DIA is working on that with DVI, the terms of that.

Um, once I have that, we can attach it.

We have a longer runway on that because that does not need to be approved until January 1.

So we've mapped out um a conservative timeline for that and have asked DVI to get everything that they need to to us by the end of July.

Okay, Councilmember Salem, yeah, you're recognized.

Through the chair, I'm sorry, I lost you there.

This was to expand the DIA boundary.

Is that what I heard you to say?

It's the bid boundary.

Um the parcels that are subject to the special assessment.

It will now encompass it'll match the CRA boundary, which is slightly larger than the current bid boundary.

So as such, we need to declare our intent to um enact a special assessment because there will be new parcels pulled in.

Thank you.

Got it.

Oh, I understand.

Okay, got it.

Uh next.

The third item is um the appropriation legislation that Ms.

Edgecombe touched on earlier um in talking about that new position with the parks department um to appropriate some of or I think it's just some of that 2.6 million.

Um and the outstanding item I need from them is the uh either a term sheet or a contract between DVI and the parks department.

And once we have that, we can bring that to you all.

It's a little bit different.

You know, when the special committee is introducing these things, you all need to see the term sheet before I can file that on your behalf.

Okay, so are y'all so that needs to be between parks and DVI?

Is that what you're saying?

That's correct.

Okay, Mr.

Joseph, are you good with that?

Okay, you're you're okay.

You're tracking.

All right, next.

The final item is something that um was just brought out to me more in detail last week, and I don't know how much you all um want to discuss this item, but talking about amending the ordinance code um as it relates to direct contracts with DVI and procurement.

So currently uh DIA and the parks department can directly contract with DVI for any amount under 100,000 for certain things that are outlined in chapter 55 of the ordinance code.

Um I was asked to increase that to 250,000, and to additionally grant that authority to the public works department.

So that sounds easy, but um there's a lot more work that needs to be done on this.

They you do run into state procurement laws that could be potentially triggered, especially by public works.

I'm not sure entirely what the thought is on why public works would need to contract directly with DVI and not go through regular procurement process.

Um, so those are questions I have, and we and OGC needs more time to vet that to ensure we don't run a file of state procurement laws.

Okay, one second.

Yep, we'll go with the queue.

So the pro the direct contract was the the park parks department, public works and DIA.

Is that correct?

Currently in our ordinance code in chapter 28, you allow parks to directly contract with DVI for 100,000 or less.

And in chapter 55, you allow DIA to do the same direct contract with DVI for under 100,000.

For certain items, it's mostly programming um type items.

Uh okay.

I can pull that list up if you'd like to.

So if public works wasn't involved included in that, it would be easier.

It would be easier.

That's correct.

Okay, cool.

All right.

Uh we have Councilmember Salem and Councilmember McCrollicci.

Are you in the queue or are you out?

Uh okay, go ahead, Councilmember MacRulici.

Uh through the chair to Miss Shill.

Um, would you contact Corey?

I want to go over that with you a little bit more.

And if there's somebody else that needs to be included, maybe Ms.

Edge Comb, uh, Colin.

Colin can be and yeah, Joseph.

Um, when I hear that increased number, uh, I may be all for it, but it gives me a little pause, and I would like to know the justification before everybody else starts wanting to do that too.

Through the chair, absolutely.

And to the extent you want this special committee to introduce this ordinance code amendment, which I think is what you're asking me to do, uh, it may be worth it to have the conversation here, but I defer to you, Chair.

Yeah.

Um, I mean, I I think let's we can kind of pause it there and stay at 30,000 feet for now.

Um, and then obviously, if you want to get with um Councilmember Matt Crocci and answer any like detailed questions, that works fine.

I don't think we're gonna hash out any legislation uh right now, but um but yeah, was that the last piece?

Yeah through the chair, that is the fourth and final piece of legislation.

Um, you have any questions, I'm happy to take this.

Cool.

All right.

So I think everyone kind of has their marching orders, so to speak.

Um Ms.

Edgecombe, anything?

Final remarks, Mr.

Tarbert, Mr.

Joseph, anything.

Okay.

Well, it's been fun.

And it has been uh a lot of work, but a lot of uh good um, a lot of good initiatives have have come out of this committee.

Um I'm proud of the work that we've done.

Um I appreciate Council President Carico for putting it back together.

Um I will continue to urge uh council president elect Howland to continue the committee as it seems like you know most recommendations on the sheet have said so.

Um and if we need to scale it back or whatever, that's totally fine.

But I do think it's a great checkpoint um in certain things that are going on downtown, um, and it gives a little bit of a temperature gauge with uh committee members.

So that's my two cents.

Uh Councilmember Matt Colucci, go ahead.

I just want to compliment you on uh a really fine job.

Uh you have been uh uh a complete honest broker across the board.

Uh everybody has been given um just uh wonderful treatment, no agendas except for making downtown better.

And uh and that's exactly what I look for in uh a committee chair.

And uh I just want to um I'm uh if I may, I'm proud of you, and really a super job.

And so uh I think uh your leadership has done a lot of good for Jacksonville this year, so thank you.

All right, thank you so much.

With that, this meeting is adjourned.