Before City Council President Stephen Joost cut the meeting short Tuesday because of Tropical Storm Debby, the council passed Mayor Alvin Brown’s proposed legislation to create an Office of Economic Development.
Joost decided to stop the meeting after learning his wife’s vehicle was caught in rising waters in San Marco. She was able to escape before the vehicle began floating.
“It’s a matter of safety for the public and my family,” said Joost.
Unfinished Council business was postponed until July 2, including the public hearing about the proposed anti-discrimination ordinance.
In a 17-0 vote, Council approved ordinance 2012-212 which replaces the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission with the Office of Economic Development.
Council members Kimberly Daniels and Matt Schellenberg were excused from the meeting.
The new office replaces a commission system of oversight with a chief economic development officer who will be appointed by the mayor and approved by Council. The officer will work in an executive capacity within the mayor’s office.
“We must be ready to attract the business opportunities that will make our local economy the most diversified and competitive marketplace it can be,” Joost said.
“In today’s economy, there is no time to wait. Cities all over America are working hard to create jobs. Jacksonville must work harder — and smarter — to put people back to work with good-paying, career-driven opportunities,” said a statement by Brown released after the measure was approved.
Current JEDC employees will transition into the Office of Economic Development, he said.
The Office of Economic Development will be responsible for economic development duties such as incentive negotiation and enterprise zone management while also managing the City’s efforts to attract sports, entertainment and special events.
The office also will provide oversight to the Office of Public-Private Partnerships, the Jacksonville Film and Television Office and the Equal Business Opportunity Office.
Before approval, the ordinance was adjusted to remove all reference to the creation of a Downtown Investment Authority because proposed ordinance 2012-0364 addresses that issue.
The measure is being reviewed by the Council Finance; Land Use and Zoning; and Recreation, Community Development and Public Health and Safety committees.
The Council also received its first look at a group of candidates that could serve on the recently created St. Johns River Ferry Commission.
The seven-member commission will consist of four members of the general public appointed by Council; two members of the general public appointed by the mayor; and a Council member appointed by the Council president to serve as chair.
Mayoral appointments are subject to Council approval.
Council member John Crescimbeni was nominated by chair the commission.
Joost nominated Aaron Bowman, director of business operations at BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards; Elaine Brown, former Council president; Richard Redick of Duval County; and Larry Williams of Nassau County.
The mayor nominated former Florida Times-Union Publisher Carl Cannon to serve. Brown has one more appointment to make.
The Council postponed a decision on an economic development agreement between the City and Novitas Solutions Inc., an affiliate of Florida Blue.
Novitas seeks $2.125 million in tax credits under the state Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund program as well as Brownfield and Enterprise Zone bonuses.
Novitas, which processes Medicare claims, agrees to create 250 new jobs in Jacksonville. The City’s share of the incentives would be $425,000 and the state’s share is $1.7 million.
Council will consider the ordinance July 2.
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