KATRINA BROWN
COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT 8 / SUITE 425, CITY HALL
117 WEST DUVAL STREET
OFFICE (904) 630-1385 / JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32202
FAX (904) 630-2906 / E-MAIL:
OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes for Council Member Katrina Brown Town Hall Meeting
September 3, 2015 at 7:00p.m.
TOPIC: CM Katrina Brown Town Hall Meeting
LOCATION: Braham-Brooks Library, 1755 Edgewood Ave. W
ATTENDEES: CM Katrina Brown (Dist 8); CM Reginald Brown (Dist 10); CM Matt Schellenberg (Dist 6); CM Garrett Dennis (Dist 9); CM John Crescimbeni (At-Large Group 2); Cheryl Brown; CM Sam Newby (At-Large Group 5); Chiquita Moore (ECA At Large Group 5); Jeneen Sanders (ECA At Large Group 1; Sheriff Mike Williams, Charles Moreland; Fire Chief Curt Williams; Congresswoman Corrine Brown; Charles Griggs; Pat Alexander; Tom Fallin; Danny Cornell; Dave McDaniel; Ivan Rodriguez; Cesar Matos; Renee Goode; Belinda Johnson; Latasha Green; Latanya Peterson; Assistant Chief T.K. Waters (Zone 5)
Meeting Convened at 8:15p.m.
Council Member Katrina Brown started the meeting with the purpose of this community town hall meeting! She stated that if any of her constituents had concerns, now was the time to voice them in front of her chosen panel of Officials from various departments.
Antonia Bryant, Chair of Democrat District 8 welcomed guests and friends and introduced Ray Alford as the moderator for the evening.
Ray Alford advised constituents to take advantage of the opportunity to ask anything that they wanted to ask about from Sheriff Williams and guests! He introduced and congratulated Councilwoman Katrina Brown!
Councilwoman Katrina Brown expressed excitement about her guests saying yes to her first invite. She explained she took office July 1. She stated she attended every budget hearing meeting, met with stakeholders, department heads, the sheriff and mayor's office to find out how we can become one city one Jacksonville.
She thanked her Executive Council Assistant (ECA)- Dana Lewis for doing a wonderful job! If it’s good it’s her fault, if it’s bad it’s her fault. ECAs get blamed for everything.She stated City Council appropriated $27M to UFShands, its important because a lot of her constituents utilize UFShands and it’s the Number 1 Trauma Center. Mayor Curry, Staff & City Council will be putting together a task force of business leaders, mayor's office, and elected officials to develop a long term solution for UFShands to keep Shands in Jax! She stated we have Appropriated $2.5M to Jacksonville Journey! Jax Journey was a strong campaign for Mayor Curry along with Sheriff Mike Williams wanted to make sure for we utilized it for crime prevention for Duval County. We are evaluating processes and procedures to make sure we have programs that work for the district. Appropriated funds with ADA regulations to make sure parks, community centers, and recreation centers are up to compliance. We have $4.2M in NW trust fund waiting for us, and Mayor Lenny Curry has appointed a new economic development officer for that position and working with city council to bring jobs & businesses to District 8. JSEB Program, Mayor Curry is currently interviewing for this leadership position.
CM Katrina Brown introduced her panel of speakers she decided to bring to the district to allow them to hear concerns from the constituents. She brought them because on the campaign trail she heard some say they work and couldn’t come to council meetings because they work, she said she wanted to have a party with a purpose. She stated it takes 10 votes to get your objective, she brought CMs with her! 5 Council Members came to hear constituents concerns.
Sheriff Mike Williams stated he took office July 1st and hit the ground running with the budget. Priorities are simple; violence problem is there and is a priority. Prevention, Intervention and Enforcement to stop the violence, we can and will look for long term solutions that create the violence. It has to do with economic development and jobs. Commit to the solutions beyond the mayor and sheriff. Building and strengthening relationships in our community is a priority. He stated, they Trimmed staff positions to give it back to the city and looking at other areas to cut the budget to spend those dollars elsewhere such as putting more officers on the street. Introduced T.K. Waters Commander of Zone 5!
Councilwoman Katrina Brown acknowledged Congresswoman Corrine Brown.
Dr. Charles Moreland, Mayor's Office stated District 8 has an excellent council woman. He stated Mayor Curry is interested and committed to District 8! He is committed to having a balanced budget. He's committed to transparency, so you can see where your taxpayer dollars are spent. Mayor Curry is making sure he is using dollars wisely for Jacksonville Journey to help combat crimein the city. Mayor Curry is committed to UFShands. Economic Development and Job engaging with our youth is important. He's walked in Eureka Gardens, Grand Park and Saving Our Sons. We have to make good use of our time and tax payer dollars.
Councilwoman Katrina Brown acknowledged CM Reginald Brown
Fire Chief Curt Williams 1300 firemen, 12th largest in the country. They really want to make a difference. They have The Explorer program for 9th grade to 21 year olds andFunded a program for at risk youth to give them a path, a choice.
Charles Griggs, Department of Health. Mandated by the state of Florida to mandate public health in Jacksonville. They work together with The City. It’s not just about clinics on the corner;it’s about protecting the community's health. Every policy is a public health policy. New Dental clinic on Moncrief and Myrtle.
Pat Alexander, Senior Services Division of City of Jacksonville. Pat Alexander attended the meetingon behalf of Gloria Crawford Division Chief. Ms. Alexander has over 30 years of experience in the Senior and Mental Health Field as an employee with The City of Jacksonville. 40 is the new 60, so they revamp to keep up with the changes. 19 Senior Centers..Foster Grandparent program, provide mentoring services to at risk youth. Volunteering opportunities. Independent Living Program, Mayor's Special Events program for Senior Citizens. 800 Seniors attended Senior Prom...Activities designed to keep them active and engaged.
Tom Fallin, Public Works Department of The City of Jacksonville. The Public Works Department is responsible for buildings, maintaining roads, make sure water flows downhill, drainage problems, critical in Jacksonville. They have receivedincreased funding through the budget to increase funding for drainage, sidewalks, and fire departments. They Partner with other agencies to make thing better. Leverage funding from Federal Government, Department of Health to test wells, and more.
Danny Cornell, Municipal Code Compliance of The City of Jacksonville. Our Department is not directly or indirectly involved with the development of the budget. Mr. Cornell confirmed that issues existed concerning blight in our neighborhoods. He stated they honestly want to make a difference and they make an honest attempt. We take care of over grown yards, junk cards, safety issues in vacant houses, anything you call on we inspect. Hope you're happy so far, if not call 255-7000 and I'll see what I can do.
Dave McDaniel, Mowing & Landscaping Department of The City of Jacksonville. Acknowledged that he washappy to be here amongst his customers. Jacksonville has about 3600 miles of road away and you'd have to double that to figure out how much right away...800 miles of continuous right away..large program where we do zip code mowing. Grass is staying down hope folks have noticed, placing a harmless growth regulator to keep grass from growing so fast to maximize staff and dollars.
Ivan Rodriguez, Jacksonville Transportation Authority ( JTA), Thanked CM K Brown they wanted to get out in the community. Encouraged a route initiative. Usually it’s a lowered ridership, which wasn’t the case with their changes. Constituent received a promotion after the changes. Bus Rapid Transit System would not be possible without Congresswoman Brown who helped get funding & policy from the government. 1st launching corridor Dec 7 launch will be in District 8 everyone is invited! Many more projects coming up the pipeline. Cesar Matos with DBE, Thanked Congresswoman Brown for $200,000 grant to help DBEs. Andy is project manager, construction projects coming down the line.
Renee Goods, JEA, stated CM Brown called her on something that freaked her but it’s been a pleasure working with her. Streetlights are owned by COJ but maintained by JEA. If streetlight isn’t working it needs to be reported. Report it by getting the pole number and calling it in. It’s usually fixed in 3 days, sometimes it can be longer if it takes traffic, bucket truck. etc. If the street light isn't working call 665-6000 and give them the pole number and street address, which coincides with the houses. If there isn’t a street light on your street, COJ will do a study and if it warrants a street light, they will contact JEA.
Belinda Johnson, 630-CITY, Thanked CM K Brown, its Jacksonville's customer service center. We take all calls, municipal code compliance, garbage, mowing, etc. potholes or cave-ins, you can download the myjax app and take a pic and send it. You can also email ! You can fax also, hours are 8 to 5 Monday through Friday. Had handouts about myjax app.
CM K. Brown excited to have colleagues hear to hear concerns.
Garrett Dennis, District 9, NICE Committee Chair. runs Westside, Grand Park to Argyle. NICE committee looks at issues that relate to blight and come up with policies to correct those issues. NICE passes those policies. Neighborhood Improvement & Community Enhancement and that’s what he wants to do. But let me tell you about your Councilwoman. You have someone that is tireless! He thought he had a lot of energy, she runs up and down the hall getting things done. In his sleep he hears Dennis, Dennis, Dennis, but she can’t get it done by herself. Let6 her know what you need and she will get it done. For her to have her colleagues here, is a testament to the relationships she is building. Whenever called he will be there, because his partner in crime, shouldn’t say crime with the sheriff being there, but he will be there.
Matt Schellenberg, District 61 He had a town hall meeting and thought it was a big crowd but this dominates so next time he has a meeting he will tell them District 8 had more. You are well represented. Garrett said it all, she is engaging and intelligent. On council it doesn’t matter who you are, we are trying to make Jacksonville better. Saw Congresswoman Brown at the football game and had a nice conversation, they don’t always agree but that’s okay, we're talking. Locally we can’t have partisan, in District 8 as well as Mandarin.
CM K Brown says there are 19 CMS, 5 At Large, and 14 District, so when you knock on her door, knock on their door too.
Sam Newby, At Large Group 5, it make his heart proud to be here, give yourself a round of applause. I'm your councilman. Thank You Congresswoman for what you do, you bring it home and Thank You. We don’t agree on everything but Thank You. Thanks to CM K Brown for bringing all of the CMS here. He just got married 30 days ago, he couldn’t go back to work without showing up. His commitment to the Northside, grew up on 45th street, lived in Sherwood and love this community. Here to serve.
John Cresimbeni, At Large Group 2. CM K Brown is keeping up with me and I'm afraid she will pass me. CM Schellenberg if you haven’t figured it out, if you want to have a good turnout invite CM K Brown. He serves on Finance committee, went thru budget page by page, sometimes we give some we also take some away. CM K Brown isn’t on the finance committee but has attended budget meetings. She'll be on the finance committee in no time. If 40 is the new 60, don’t ask what the new 57 is because that's my age.
LaTasha Green, St Joseph Home Ownership Program. Met CM K Brown at a housing meeting and was already out asking what she could bring back to her community. It is a HUD approved housing counseling agency, not income based. anyone needing assistance in foreclosure assistance or in purchasing a home. Definitely hope 40 is not the new 60 because she just met that number.
Congresswoman Corrine Brown, God is Good All the Time. Will be brief because she has questions herself. This is interesting and Thanked CM K Brown. State, Federal and Local are working together for UFShands. City got to come to the table or cuts will be made from the Federal. Got to show more in the budget. 60 is the new 40, just wanted to clear that up. JEA, we want to know how do we get our light bills down and how do we insulate our house. Where is the person over mosquito control. She appreciates being your federal partner. Been in Congress since 1992, the first black in 129 years. The only other person was Josiah Walls from Gainesville, he won they sued, then they burned down the courthouse. It won’t happen this time, we are in Federal court right now.
CM R Brown, District 10, Thanked CM K Brown, it's a step in the right direction to see each person come out to state their concerns and have the best and the brightest on this panel, if you have any questions ask them. Do not allow them to leave, if you have any questions don’t allow them to leave. There are two numbers to remember, 630CITY for all issues dealing with code enforcement..If you want your community to be beautiful & clean it's not complaining! it’s taking care of your neighborhood. 6300500 if you want your neighborhood to be safe, it’s not snitching, it’s taking care of your neighborhood. Store those numbers, and life will be beautiful. Thanks to CM K Brown, please ask questions.
CM K Brown introduced Ray Alford to take questions...
Ray Alford gave CM K Brown a hand and acknowledged her ability to bring speakers out. thanked to speakers and advised those who filled out cards to respect each other's time. If question isn’t asked stick around and they will answer.
Dr. Kelly asked why it takes so long to get lawns mowed after calling in and it doesn’t in Mandarin. Why it takes so long for 911, use trustees to work as well. ...Dave stated CM Carter is working on a program to use inmates and he has used inmates before but inmates are only allowed to go out one with a crew leaders trained by Corrections Officers. But he is working to get employees trained to utilize more inmates and trustees.
Sheriff Williams stated the challenge in using inmates is a safety measure, but they are working on that to get the right mix. 911 response time is up city wide, because they are constantly looking for ways to increase response time. 40 new officers and COs were approved in the budget. Community Service Officers will be available to do traffic etc, to allow officers to work crime. It’s a big issue and working every day.
Solomon was advised by Ray Alford to ask his question, he talked to the audience and said this room is packed by no one comes to CPAC meetings. Don’t let this be the last time. Wanted to know if solar power was convenient. Renee Goode advised we are involved in solar research but more litigation and discussion is needed. She advised that the premium right now is higher but may come down.
Paulette Turner stated that she is a part of hospital emergency response team, how prepared are we for hurricanes? Sheriff Williams stated this past hurricane, we started planning and meeting when it started. Taking care of logistics and more. Fire Chief stated he needs 12 more fire stations, but he brings on a surge capacity of about 300 firefighters, swift water preparedness. It’s been a while since we had a storm, but we did a re-vamp and we were happy with the turn out. Citizens response team exists.
Lou Myers, Thanked CM K Brown, he has a concern, he lives on Ribault Scenic and has called in about potholes. Needs to repair potholes, when it rains yard is followed. past Ribault Middle, the trees hit the cars as the pass by from Van Gundy to Howell Drive. CM K Brown stated public works will look at the list of complaints to see which have the most complaints. She also stated that she would see if his street was already on the list. Tom Fallin stated they have a rating system and is accomplished by the amount of funding is received. They usually fix 60 out of 100. Drainage is based on The CARE system or list. Large projects go on CIP list. He encouraged him to do as CM said and report it. CM R Brown advised that neighborhoods have 5 at large councils to speak with. He advised there is not enough money to resurface Jacksonville, but you show it’s a priority by reaching out to Mayor’s office and at large and district council members. CM Crescimbeni advised that because of economy we have only been able to fund $2M out of the $20M needed per year. If pot holes continue, we need to correct that before we resurface.
Ray Alford advised if they run out of time and still want their question answered, the speakers would stick around towards the end to answer them