City Council President Mike McClain presided over the February 7 meeting with Mayor Donna Bowen attending via Zoom. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Dirk Siedlecki who had passed away the week before.
During Public Comment, two residents asked that the Council work with the police to help slow traffic down on 5th Street and S. 3rd Street. Councilor Reed echoed the need to work with the powers that be to address this most-pressing public safety need.
City Administrator Jeff Alvis reported that the city would be reviewing its 2012 Britt Ticket Tax resolution that caps the city’s share of the admission tax at $70,000/yr. In 2021, the tax amounted to $101,925, $31,925 over what the city may legally keep. The council will be exploring increasing the cap in hopes of securing additional funds. Mr. Alvis also reported that an updated Urban Renewal funding plan will be reviewed by the Planning Commission (on 2/8/23) and that the plan will be presented to Council in March.
LuAnne Bruner presented the annual Jacksonville Boosters Club Foundation report, reviewing the tremendous amount of civic service and funding the organization provided to the city in 2022.
Councilor Ken Gregg outlined a 7-step process that is now underway for the creation of a new history museum at Old City Hall. The plan includes Planning Department findings, performance reviews, requests for proposals for interior design, hiring an Executive Director, construction plan review, grant funding applications, and formation of a support group similar to other Jacksonville-based non-profits. It was noted that the timeline would likely see grant funding applications in May 2024.