LEON COUNTY

Chairman Tony Grippa and Commissioner Bob Rackleff met in a publicly-noticed meeting on December 2, 2002, at the Radisson Hotel. Also present was Erin VanSickle, Chairman Grippa’s Commission Aide.

The meeting began at 11:00 a.m.

Commissioner Grippa asked Commissioner Rackleff which Boards he was interested in serving on. Commissioner Rackleff replied that the one he was most interested in is the Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board (TD), especially because the County is dealing with the transition to TalTran as the Community Transportation Coordinator.

Commissioner Grippa asked why aren’t the City and County funding this?

Commissioner Rackleff replied that TalTran got $30,000 in funding last year.

Commissioner Rackleff stated that the County is in need of non-sponsored rides in excess of what we are providing right now. He added that the BOCC gave $30,000 last year, but that the program still needs to be improved. Commissioner Grippa replied that he has received complaints regarding TD’s inability to meet the time window for someone who wants to be a productive citizen. He said that this is impossible when there is a 2-hour wait for the bus to pick someone up at home and take him or her to his or her job. He asked what the cost is for a much smaller window of time, such as 15-minutes of waiting. Commissioner Rackleff replied that this would require a lot of money and many 1-passenger trips.

Commissioner Rackleff stated that we need an improved fixed-route transit system, specifically transit to and from the Southwood and Capital Circle Office Complexes. He mentioned that currently, it costs the TD Program $25,000 a year for 4 blind citizens to get to and from work at one of these complexes. He also stated that there is a lack of infrastructure such as sidewalks.

Commissioner Grippa said that the County needs individual rides for disabled citizens, the construction of sidewalks and other special infrastructure for elderly and/or disabled individuals, and a bus transit route to and from the Tallahassee Regional Airport.

Commissioner Rackleff mentioned that he would be excited if FSU would look at mass transit in University Park.

Commissioner Grippa asked if Commissioner Rackleff was interested in serving on any additional Boards. Commissioner Rackleff replied that he wanted to remain on the Downtown Improvement Authority, the Downtown Merchants Business Associates Board, and the GIS Coordinating Board.

Commissioner Grippa mentioned his plans to rejuvenate the Liaison program. Commissioner Rackleff replied he wasn’t sure which department he was paired with, but that it used to be Public Works, where he attended the Group Directors’ Meetings. Commissioner Grippa said this program would be important because it would make Commissioners more aware of the process by which things get done in Leon County, and also because it would foster greater accountability to citizens.

Commissioner Grippa asked if there were any other Boards that Commissioner Rackleff was interested in, and he said he was satisfied for now.

Commissioner Grippa next discussed the DIA. He stated that it made 13 recommendations to spur Downtown Revitalization, and so far the City had adopted none of these. He said it would be helpful if, as a Board member, Commissioner Rackleff could find out why the City had not adopted any of the recommendations. Next, was a detailed discussion regarding what both Commissioners visualized for the downtown area. Commissioner Rackleff explained the differences between Tampa and St. Pete’s downtown areas. Commissioner Grippa mentioned that most people move downtown to avoid long commutes to work, and to enjoy the conveniences of urban life.

Commissioner Grippa stated that it was important to attract residential development first, then try to attract commercial services. Next, Commissioner Grippa said that the City needed to work with businesses and compromise on height restrictions instead of just telling everyone a flat "no." He said height restrictions need to be based on an individual basis, and this could be done by establishing a variance board.

Commissioner Rackleff stated that it was important to retain the historic quality of our downtown area.

Commissioner Grippa replied that his idea was to set up Historic Districts and instead of everything being under the same restrictions, the Historic Districts would be the most restrictive. He said this would be a good alternative to the City’s blanket approach.

Commissioner Grippa stated that the major issues are the ability to build up and the permit process.

Commissioner Rackleff replied that developers that present serious projects are treated well by the City and that the City is cooperative and flexible.

Commissioner Rackleff next discussed parking requirements downtown. He stated that there is a penalty for developers who believe they have to provide parking if they build downtown. He suggested that downtown firms pay employees not to park at work and find alternative parking places or alternative transportation to work. Commissioner Rackleff noted that lower-paid employees would probably be very willing to work with that idea.

Commissioner Grippa noted that several other Commissioners were interested in serving on the DIA, especially because of the CRA issue.

Commissioner Rackleff replied that he did not have a vote on the DIA. He said that even if he was not appointed to the DIA, he would still attend the meetings.

Next the Commissioners discussed the Tax Increment Finance District (TIFD.) Commissioner Rackleff noted that there was room for compromise on this issue. Commissioner Grippa replied that the County should be represented on the DIA with voting rights, and taxing first is not the answer to Downtown’s problems.

Next, Commissioner Grippa noted that part of Commissioner Rackleff’s District is in the Enterprise Zone.

Commissioner Rackleff stated that he liked the idea behind the EZ, but that more businesses enjoyed benefits of living within the EZ than did homeowners; he said homeowners got rebates on building supplies, but other than that, they really did not benefit.

Commissioner Grippa gave some examples of incentives for homeowners.

Commissioner Grippa asked Commissioner Rackleff if there were any other issues that he was particularly concerned with.

Commissioner Rackleff said that his immediate concern was that the State was trying to get out of providing transit to the Southwood/Capital Circle Office Complex. He mentioned that this issue will come before the Planning Commission and the City Commission soon, on the agenda as "CCOC Substantial Deviation Review."

Commissioner Rackleff noted that he foresees a new bus route. He mentioned that in Gainesville, the University of Florida collects a student transit fee. Commissioner Grippa agreed that this was a great idea. They both agreed that it was imperative to get FSU on board with the transit issue.

Commissioner Grippa asked why isn’t the County spending the Bike and Pedestrian money around FSU’s campus?

Commissioner Rackleff replied that it has never been seen as a priority before, but that the Master Plan would change that.

Commissioner Rackleff noted that he would like to see 4- or 5-story dorms instead of new parking facilities and Intramural fields on the FSU side of Gaines Street and Commissioner Grippa agreed with him. Commissioner Rackleff mentioned that he would also like to see student housing and shops as part of the Gaines Street revitalization.

Commissioner Rackleff said the Research Park needs dedicated bus routes.

Next Commissioner Grippa discussed the EDC trip to Raleigh, where many people commute by bus. He would like to have the representatives from Raleigh show their presentation on their Greenway System to the Commissioners who were unable to attend the trip. He said their goal was not the construction of more buildings, but to bring in businesses that could work off of the existing human capital.

Next the Commissioners discussed the Fairgrounds. Commissioner Grippa noted that University Park is the link between FSU and FAMU. He said the decision is whether to keep Innovation Park separate, turn it over to FSU, or create some hybrid of the two. He suggested holding a workshop to discuss this issue.

Commissioner Rackleff asked what the downside is of having two parks. Commissioner Grippa replied that it would create 2 competing parks, where instead we need a unified front. Also, the management of the two entities needs to be uniform, which might be difficult. The Commissioners agreed that the best idea is to schedule a workshop. Commissioner Rackleff noted that Innovation Park is a good source of revenue for the County.

Commissioner Grippa asked if there were any other issues that Commissioner Rackleff was concerned with.

Commissioner Rackleff replied that the County needs a transportation system with choices. He noted that 35% of Leon County residents cannot drive a car. He said it is important to get TalTran services to 2 groups of people: those who cannot drive a car, and those who would like to leave their cars at home and are willing to do so.

Commissioner Rackleff said that intersection improvements are great for motorists in the long-run, but pedestrians have to pay by having their walking routes disturbed during construction. He said the Commission leaves these decisions up to the discretion of Staff in too many instances.

Next the Commissioners discussed some of the issues Commissioner Grippa raised in his Chairman’s acceptance speech, beginning with Consolidation. He stated that the City asked the County to take up the issue, and he would like to see a public debate on the issue. He mentioned that he would also like to get rid of City and County discrepancies regarding environmental standards and increase efficiency.

Commissioner Rackleff inquired about the process of achieving Consolidation now that the County has the ability to pursue referendums under the Charter government.

Commissioner Grippa noted that he wants to look at the issue seriously, but that if it is not the best thing for the people of Leon County, than it needs to be taken off the table.

Commissioner Rackleff stated that he had not seen strong public support for Consolidation, but that he does support a solution to stormwater fees.

Next the Commissioners discussed Environmental Issues, the positive and negative aspects of Open Grade Cold Mix (OGCM).

Commissioner Grippa raised the Ambulance Services issue. He mentioned that the County had to keep the following things in mind: increased service to remote areas, job security to EMT personnel, the role of firefighters, and the cost.

Commissioner Rackleff mentioned the County’s website and that he would like to see improvements, including more access to hot topics and summaries on stormwater issues, etc. He also would like to move forward on the Digital Canopy. He stated that DSL service is still very expensive. He would like to increase the service and decrease the cost. Commissioner Grippa agreed.

Commissioner Grippa mentioned AFSCME and that he would like to move forward with municipal employees obtaining the right to collective bargaining in Leon County.

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Tony Grippa Date Bob Rackleff Date