After just five weeks in office, City Council President Greg Anderson hasn’t established any issue-specific committees that will convene during his year as chief executive — but he’s got some ideas.
Hemming Park could be at the top of the list. A previous council committee studied the park for more than two years. Its work led to the city’s $1 million, 18-month management agreement with the nonprofit Friends of Hemming Park.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Anderson said, considering council has been called on twice in the past six months to clarify misunderstandings about the language of the contract.
“The issues are simple,” he said. “There’s an agreement in place, but for whatever reason there was confusion about terms defined in the agreement.”
The Friends making the case this week at two committee meetings for future city financing of their effort in the park also could justify a special committee.
Anderson said it’s important for council to be up-to-date on the nonprofit’s long-term business plan and to what degree the plan is financially viable.
He won’t make a decision whether to establish a new Hemming Park committee until after council votes Tuesday on a proposed contract amendment.
“I’m going to let this phase play itself out,” said Anderson.
But Wednesday, phase two will begin.
“I’ll be asking some hard questions about where they’ll get the money to continue the good work they’ve started,” he said.
Also on Anderson’s list of council committee possibilities to date are the topics of vehicles for hire and the city’s support of UF Health Jacksonville.
Council member Matt Schellenberg filed legislation in February to amend the city ordinance regulating vehicles for hire such as taxis, app-based transportation services and ride-sharing services.
The bill was shelved in three standing committees pending new state regulations, which were not enacted by the Legislature, making regulation of vehicles for hire an issue for local government.
As for UF Health, based on the proposed 2015-16 city budget, taxpayers will contribute about $26 million a year to help cover the cost of treating low-income and uninsured patients at the facility.
Fifty-two percent of the hospital’s care is for patients covered by Medicaid or those who have no insurance coverage.
With federal funding levels uncertain after the state refused to expand Medicaid, it has been suggested that the city might consider next year increasing its annual financial support of UF Health.
Anderson said he is moving carefully while considering establishing subsets of the 19-member legislative body.
“The last council had so many committees and subcommittees,” he said. “I’m going to be careful about creating committees.”
@DRMaxDowntown
(904) 356-2466