Joint City-County Commission Special Meeting

MINUTES

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City Hall Auditorium
200 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Members Present:
  • Commissioner Book, 
  • Mayor Pro Tempore Chestnut, 
  • Commissioner Duncan-Walker, 
  • Commissioner Eastman, 
  • Commissioner Saco, 
  • Mayor Ward, 
  • and Commissioner Willits 

A.
CALL TO ORDER

This item has attachments.  

Meeting called to order at 3:00 p.m.

B.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

  
  • Moved byMayor Pro Tempore Chestnut
    Seconded byCommissioner Willits

    Motion: The City Commission adopt the regular and consent agenda reordering the item 2024-276 Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area FY23 Annual Report FY24 Workplan and Update on Airport Gateway to the first item.

    Aye (8)Commissioner Saco, Mayor Ward, Mayor Pro Tempore Chestnut, Commissioner Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, Jennifer Shelton, and Karin Cowley
    Absent (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Approved (8 to 0)

C.
BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS

  

1.
2024-276 Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area FY23 Annual Report FY24 Workplan and Update on Airport Gateway (B)

This item has attachments.  

Rick Smith, Director of Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA), gave a presentation on the GCRA FY23 Annual Report, FY24 Workplan, and an update on the Airport Gateway.

Monica Deel, Community Reinvestment Area Manager, and Daniel Blumberg, Community Reinvestment Area Project Manager IV, were introduced.

Commissioner Duncan-Walker joined the meeting at 3:34 p.m.

Sean McLendon, Alachua County Strategic Initiatives Manager, spoke to the Airport Gateway and requested next steps.

Commissioner Wheeler mentioned the Eastern Gateway needs lighting.

Mayor Pro Tempore Chestnut asked that staff look at other communities that may have a successful program.

Public Comment: Kali Blount

  • Moved byMayor Pro Tempore Chestnut
    Seconded byCommissioner Duncan-Walker

    Recommendation: Approve the GCRA’s FY23 Annual Report and FY24 Workplan.

    Motion: 1) Approve as Recommended, and 2) Direct staff to revisit funding the My Neighborhood (Heirs' Property) Program and return to the City Commission with an update and possible options.

    Aye (7)Commissioner Saco, Mayor Ward, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Mayor Pro Tempore Chestnut, Commissioner Eastman, Commissioner Book, and Commissioner Willits
    Approved (7 to 0)

2.
2024-266 Steps, Stakeholders and Activities Regarding Gun Violence Prevention (B)

This item has attachments.  

Brandace Stone, Community Health Director, gave a presentation on steps, stakeholders, and activities regarding gun violence prevention.

Brittany Coleman, Gun Violence Intervention Program Manager, was introduced and spoke to the item.

Nelson Moya, Assistant Chief, Gainesville Police Department, spoke to the item.

Cynthia Curry, City Manager, spoke to events taking place in the community as to prevent gun violence.

Roxana Gonzalez, Director of Parks Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, spoke to the item, related to open facilities after hours.

Cherie Kelly, Youth Services Manager, spoke to the item as to the services provided by the city to local youth.

Alexandra Martinez, Director, Alachua County Crisis Center, spoke to efforts to provide mental health counseling in schools.

Emery Gainey, Sheriff, Alachua County, spoke to the item regarding gang violence in the county.

Carl Smart, Deputy County Manager of Community & Strategic Initiatives, gave a presentation on county actions and recommendations around gun violence prevention.

Mayor Pro Tempore Chestnut left the meeting at 5:41 p.m.

Commissioner Eastman left the meeting at 5:55 p.m.

Commissioner Saco left the meeting at 7:04 p.m.

Public Comment: Dale Scott, Jarell Whitehead, Kali Blount, Kimber

  • Recommendation: The members of the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners and Gainesville City Commission receive a report from staff.

    Heard

  • Recess: 7:24 p.m.

    Reconvene: 7:36 pm.

3.
2024-281 Joint City/County Housing Update (B)

This item has attachments.  

Corey Harris, Director of Housing and Community Development, gave a presentation on the City Housing Update.

Carl Smart, Deputy County Manager of Community & Strategic Initiatives, gave a presentation on the county housing update and a gap analysis relating to emergency housing services.

Mary Rose Whitehouse, Three Rivers Legal Services (TRLS), gave an overview of the services provided at TRLS.

Candie Nixon, Alachua County Community Support Services Assistant Director, spoke to funding of county housing projects.

Michele Lieberman, County Manager, spoke to funding of county housing projects.

Jon Decarmine, Executive Director of GRACE Marketplace, spoke to the data around positive exists from shelter services, the average length of stay, and the gap between supply and demand for emergency housing.

Andrew Persons, Chief Operating Officer, spoke to the item as it relates to the funding for the new ambassador program.

Commissioner Duncan-Walker left the meeting at 9:08 p.m.

Mayor Ward requested the scheduling of a joint meeting with the county in May or early June with the single issue of the contract for GRACE Marketplace.

Public Comment: Karla Ganley, Quil Cauchon, Alfredo Morales, Sada Ahmed, Dr. Michael Eaton, Kimber

  • Recommendation: The City Commission and Board of County Commissioners receive a presentation from City and County staff.

    Heard

D.
MEMBER COMMENT

  

E.
ADJOURNMENT

  

Meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.

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