For many years Pensacola has been working to accommodate a variety of modes of transportation on city streets. Sidewalks and bike lanes can be seen sporadically throughout the city.
The city now is focusing on creating a bicycle and pedestrian network throughout the city. Such a network would connect neighborhoods to employment centers and other amenities. In our effort to design the network and target improvements, we are looking for citizen input.
A survey is posted online at http://cityofpensacola.com/completestreets. Please provide us with your thoughts and ideas. Do keep in mind that the focus of this effort is not streets within neighborhoods but rather connections between neighborhoods.
The results of the survey will be forwarded to the City Council's Complete Streets Ad-Hoc Committee. The committee will compile the input and create a map and listing of necessary improvements. The improvements will be ranked based on certain criteria, such as proximity to schools, public interest, and low cost. The plan will then be forwarded to the city council for adoption. The intent is that each year the city will allocate funds (whether from standard coffers or, preferably, from grant revenue specifically for these types of improvements) and within a few years we will have a city that it markedly more friendly to bicycles and pedestrians.
Please share the survey with others--the more input we receive, the better our results will be.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
On Walking, Biking, and Good Government
When I ran for City Council, increasing the infrastructure
for bicycles and pedestrians was one of my priorities. I have biked many
neighborhoods in this city—as a teen riding through Scenic Heights to piano
lessons, as a young mom biking my daughter to school in East Hill, as a
councilwoman biking to Woodland Heights to meet with constituents. I also have
walked all over, including knocking on doors on every street in the city.
Progressive cities throughout this country provide
transportation alternatives for residents. And the kinds of workers we hope to
attract look for alternatives. Residents and visitors alike benefit. I have
researched many systems and believe that, by incorporating complete streets into our transportation planning, we
can become a better community.
Last winter a group of citizens came to the council and
asked us to consider complete streets as one of several policies. I watched
happily as the council, almost to a person, voiced support. I had had
conversations with the mayor previously, and I knew he cared about this issue,
too. So I decided that it was time to act.
There were some glitches, but last council week the
administration finally brought us a resolution in support of complete streets. But the
council decided that that didn’t go far enough and created a
committee to come up with a complete streets network plan. We are gearing up
for our first meeting and hope that many citizens will show up to help us take
the first steps in this process.
So what do bikes have to do with the charter? While
multi-modal transportation is a passion of mine, good government is even more important. In our transition to the new charter, much energy has been
devoted to defining the role of the mayor. But often overlooked is the change
in the role of the council. The council is the “governing body of the City with
all legislative powers of the City vested therein,” often interpreted as the
policy making body.
What the Council has yet to tackle is how it sets policy. So
far, most of our actions have been approval, modification, or rejection of
recommendations from the mayor. If the council is going to carry out its
responsibilities under this new charter, it must have a process by which it
creates policy.
Our new government is like the Congress and President or the
State Legislature and Governor. The Congress/Legislature sets policy by holding
hearings (usually in committee) and researching an issue. Then the body will
vote to approve the new policy, usually a resolution or law/ ordinance, and send it to the President/Governor for approval and execution. This
structure can inform the council on how to carry out its role as well.
I am glad that we are using Complete Streets as the test
case for the council to create a system for setting policy independent from the
administration (though with their assistance, much like a Secretary of State
would testify before Congress). There is consent among the council to support
the idea, the mayor seems supportive, and many citizens are excited by the idea
as well. I hope everyone will work together to make this a successful effort.
Please plan on participating in the Complete Streets
Committee process so we can set the most informed policy for this city. And so
that it can be a model for how the council can work with the citizens to carry
out its role under this new charter. Look for an announcement of the first committee meeting soon.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Opportunities to serve
Recently I emailed many of you asking if you would be interested in serving on the City Council's Audit Selection Committee. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of you who replied with a willingness to serve. So I am going to take my chances again....
The City Council is looking to appoint people to many different boards. In all cases, the nominations are due by June 1. If you are interested in any of these boards, please let me know, and I will consider nominating you.
Environmental Advisory Board: http://cityofpensacola.com/boards/eab
The council is looking for one at-large member and one member who is an employee of a Federal, State, or local environmental agency. City residency is preferred.
Gateway Review Board: http://cityofpensacola.com/boards/gatewayreview
The council is looking for nominations for all positions on this board. Three property owners within the district, and an at-large member, an architect, a landscape architect, and an engineering or building contractor, all of whom should not own property in the district.
Parks and Recreation Board: http://cityofpensacola.com/boards/parks
The council is in need of two members for this board.
West Florida Public Library Board: http://cityofpensacola.com/boards/libraryboard
The council is in need of a city resident to serve on this board.
I look forward to nominating candidates for each of these boards. Please let me know if any of these are of interest.
The City Council is looking to appoint people to many different boards. In all cases, the nominations are due by June 1. If you are interested in any of these boards, please let me know, and I will consider nominating you.
Environmental Advisory Board: http://cityofpensacola.com/boards/eab
The council is looking for one at-large member and one member who is an employee of a Federal, State, or local environmental agency. City residency is preferred.
Gateway Review Board: http://cityofpensacola.com/boards/gatewayreview
The council is looking for nominations for all positions on this board. Three property owners within the district, and an at-large member, an architect, a landscape architect, and an engineering or building contractor, all of whom should not own property in the district.
Parks and Recreation Board: http://cityofpensacola.com/boards/parks
The council is in need of two members for this board.
West Florida Public Library Board: http://cityofpensacola.com/boards/libraryboard
The council is in need of a city resident to serve on this board.
I look forward to nominating candidates for each of these boards. Please let me know if any of these are of interest.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Bay Bridge Comments
The state has determined that the Pensacola Bay Bridge needs to be replaced. It is several years off, but they are starting the planning now. They are requesting comments from the public on any priorities that should be considered. Anyone with suggestions should access the Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) Web site. On that site, you can search for the bay bridge project, and there is a link for submitting comments.
Examples of the topics that some people have commented on include:
Examples of the topics that some people have commented on include:
- Bike lanes
- Sidewalks
- Break down lanes
- Toll lanes/HOV lanes
- 6 lanes, 8 lanes, 4 lanes
- West side landing, east side landing
- Pretty lights
- Road Rangers Services
Friday, July 22, 2011
Council staff
Since the first council meeting after the passage of the new charter, the council has been working to formalize the structure of this new government. And since that meeting, the council has contemplated having some form of council staff. The council is currently considering two highly qualified candidates and looks forward to the hiring of one of them.
Why does the council need a staff?
The legislative branch of any government has needs that differ from those of the executive. While the mayor has working relationships with many of the knowledge experts in the government, the councilmembers often need a guide to help them navigate the bureaucracy and research issues. The council needs a professional who will provide clear, unbiased advice on issues before the council, to serve as a sounding board for councilmembers as they contemplate an issue. The council also needs assistance in preparing agendas, particularly handling requests for council presentations and facilitating the appearance of experts for council deliberations.
These are all tasks that were done under the previous government and still need to be done under the new charter. Without someone to perform these functions, the council cannot adequately fulfill its duties under the charter. Council staff is a necessary element of good governance.
Is it legal under our charter?
Our charter gives the mayor the power to appoint, discipline, and remove all officers and employees. However, nowhere in the charter is there a prohibition of the council having dedicated personnel. Early in his tenure, even, Mayor Hayward directed the council that Mr. Coby would continue to be a resource for the council. And the charter does not forbid the mayor from respecting the wishes of the council.
True, the council can not send an offer letter, the council can’t sign paychecks. But the mayor can do those things on behalf of the council in the best interest of this city and sound governance.
Do other cities with a mayor-council government have council staff?
Yes. Hialeah has multiple council aides, as well as a relationship with the clerk. Hialeah does not expressly give the mayor the powers to appoint all officers, but it does not give the council the power to supervise any departments.
Orlando has an assistant for each council member, and their charter explicitly gives the power to have subordinates. In Orlando these assistants function much like the assistants for the Escambia County Commission and are paid in a similar range.
The council in St. Petersburg has one administrator and three assistants, but the charter prohibits the council from requesting the appointment of anyone.
Each of these cities has found a way to provide the necessary support to their councils. Each has a different format, and the one this council contemplates is different, too. But if they have found a way to make it work, so can we.
Can we afford it?
During the budget deliberations for the 2011 budget, before the first mayor under the new charter was elected, the then-council provided funding for the mayor’s staff as well as the council staff. The budget was balanced, but the funds for this council staff have not yet been expended. There are sufficient funds in the budget to hire candidates of the caliber the council considered during their recent workshop.
The mayor and city council are all dedicated to providing a strong city and want to ensure that decisions are made with adequate consideration. The council has spoken multiple times about the need for a staff person and has worked diligently toward the hiring of such a staff, including much debate and discussion since the mayor’s swearing in. This council staff is an essential element of good government, which is in the best interest of all the citizens of Pensacola.
Why does the council need a staff?
The legislative branch of any government has needs that differ from those of the executive. While the mayor has working relationships with many of the knowledge experts in the government, the councilmembers often need a guide to help them navigate the bureaucracy and research issues. The council needs a professional who will provide clear, unbiased advice on issues before the council, to serve as a sounding board for councilmembers as they contemplate an issue. The council also needs assistance in preparing agendas, particularly handling requests for council presentations and facilitating the appearance of experts for council deliberations.
These are all tasks that were done under the previous government and still need to be done under the new charter. Without someone to perform these functions, the council cannot adequately fulfill its duties under the charter. Council staff is a necessary element of good governance.
Is it legal under our charter?
Our charter gives the mayor the power to appoint, discipline, and remove all officers and employees. However, nowhere in the charter is there a prohibition of the council having dedicated personnel. Early in his tenure, even, Mayor Hayward directed the council that Mr. Coby would continue to be a resource for the council. And the charter does not forbid the mayor from respecting the wishes of the council.
True, the council can not send an offer letter, the council can’t sign paychecks. But the mayor can do those things on behalf of the council in the best interest of this city and sound governance.
Do other cities with a mayor-council government have council staff?
Yes. Hialeah has multiple council aides, as well as a relationship with the clerk. Hialeah does not expressly give the mayor the powers to appoint all officers, but it does not give the council the power to supervise any departments.
Orlando has an assistant for each council member, and their charter explicitly gives the power to have subordinates. In Orlando these assistants function much like the assistants for the Escambia County Commission and are paid in a similar range.
The council in St. Petersburg has one administrator and three assistants, but the charter prohibits the council from requesting the appointment of anyone.
Each of these cities has found a way to provide the necessary support to their councils. Each has a different format, and the one this council contemplates is different, too. But if they have found a way to make it work, so can we.
Can we afford it?
During the budget deliberations for the 2011 budget, before the first mayor under the new charter was elected, the then-council provided funding for the mayor’s staff as well as the council staff. The budget was balanced, but the funds for this council staff have not yet been expended. There are sufficient funds in the budget to hire candidates of the caliber the council considered during their recent workshop.
The mayor and city council are all dedicated to providing a strong city and want to ensure that decisions are made with adequate consideration. The council has spoken multiple times about the need for a staff person and has worked diligently toward the hiring of such a staff, including much debate and discussion since the mayor’s swearing in. This council staff is an essential element of good government, which is in the best interest of all the citizens of Pensacola.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Creating Jobs or Rearranging the Deck Chairs?
the issue: number of city council seats
Over the course of a year, a committee set about the complex task of designing a new charter for the City of Pensacola. Among the issues which they discussed was the number of City Council members and the existence of at-large council seats. After considerable deliberation, they decided to leave the existing structure as it was.
Why did the charter commission keep the existing council structure?
People in our community are passionate about voting for those who represent them. And they should be. When a previous city-county charter commission proposed changing from elected to appointed constitutional officers, that issue was attributed to the failure of the entire initiative. If we were to change from the current system of seven district representatives and two at-large representatives on council, the voters of Pensacola would lose considerable control over their city government.
Under the current system, every voter casts four votes. One for the mayor, one for their district representative, and two for at-large council members. That means they have four out of ten city officials directly accountable to them. Why would the voters want to reduce their voice on the city council by two-thirds? But more important than how many votes they cast on election day, the current system increases the chances that their perspectives will be voiced during council deliberations.
The Wisdom of Crowds.
Each individual council member has a different life experience, different passions, diverse knowledge. Each asks different questions helping shape a better final decision that considers many points of view.
The more people participating in the debate, the more likely all angles of an issue will be considered and the more likely the final product will be better than any one person could have created.
Consider juries, which are typically twelve people, regardless of the size of the community. In decisions about jury size, the Supreme Court has stated that juries should be “large enough to promote group deliberations”. It is not a question of the size of the community, but rather a question of the size of the group which determines whether a sound decision will be reached.
But what about the costs?
Council members are currently paid $14,000 a year. In the scale of the city’s budget, each additional council member’s salary is a drop in the bucket. If more members provide better decision making on a $200 million budget, that $14,000 is worth it.
As we work under the new charter, we continue to have questions on implementation. This is not one of them. The commission made a clear decision on this, and we should spend our energies discussing more pressing issues.
Our community faces serious challenges as well as many opportunities to shape our destiny. We should not be distracted by how many seats are on the council, when the people of this community are more concerned about how many good jobs we can create. We have many, many important matters before us; we should not be worried with rearranging the deck chairs.
Over the course of a year, a committee set about the complex task of designing a new charter for the City of Pensacola. Among the issues which they discussed was the number of City Council members and the existence of at-large council seats. After considerable deliberation, they decided to leave the existing structure as it was.
Why did the charter commission keep the existing council structure?
People in our community are passionate about voting for those who represent them. And they should be. When a previous city-county charter commission proposed changing from elected to appointed constitutional officers, that issue was attributed to the failure of the entire initiative. If we were to change from the current system of seven district representatives and two at-large representatives on council, the voters of Pensacola would lose considerable control over their city government.
Under the current system, every voter casts four votes. One for the mayor, one for their district representative, and two for at-large council members. That means they have four out of ten city officials directly accountable to them. Why would the voters want to reduce their voice on the city council by two-thirds? But more important than how many votes they cast on election day, the current system increases the chances that their perspectives will be voiced during council deliberations.
The Wisdom of Crowds.
Each individual council member has a different life experience, different passions, diverse knowledge. Each asks different questions helping shape a better final decision that considers many points of view.
The more people participating in the debate, the more likely all angles of an issue will be considered and the more likely the final product will be better than any one person could have created.
Consider juries, which are typically twelve people, regardless of the size of the community. In decisions about jury size, the Supreme Court has stated that juries should be “large enough to promote group deliberations”. It is not a question of the size of the community, but rather a question of the size of the group which determines whether a sound decision will be reached.
But what about the costs?
Council members are currently paid $14,000 a year. In the scale of the city’s budget, each additional council member’s salary is a drop in the bucket. If more members provide better decision making on a $200 million budget, that $14,000 is worth it.
As we work under the new charter, we continue to have questions on implementation. This is not one of them. The commission made a clear decision on this, and we should spend our energies discussing more pressing issues.
Our community faces serious challenges as well as many opportunities to shape our destiny. We should not be distracted by how many seats are on the council, when the people of this community are more concerned about how many good jobs we can create. We have many, many important matters before us; we should not be worried with rearranging the deck chairs.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Library of Congress and July 4
I do hope you are making plans to celebrate Independence Day downtown in Seville Square. The City is incredibly appreciative to the Pensacola Sertoma Club which organizes the whole thing, along with all of their sponsors. In addition to the fireworks at 9 pm, they hold free children's activities in Seville Square all day plus live music in the evening. Make sure to come down. Visit their site for more information.
In addition, this year we will have a special treat, the Library of Congress traveling exhibit. It will be in Fountain Park (south of Seville Square) on July 3 and 4. It is free and open from 11 am to 7 pm both days. The exhibit will include high-quality reproductions of many of the Library's top treasures including a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and many other items. Thanks to the West Florida Public Library for sponsoring this exhibit.
We are very fortunate in this community to have so many wonderful events going on. I hope to see you at some of them.
In addition, this year we will have a special treat, the Library of Congress traveling exhibit. It will be in Fountain Park (south of Seville Square) on July 3 and 4. It is free and open from 11 am to 7 pm both days. The exhibit will include high-quality reproductions of many of the Library's top treasures including a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and many other items. Thanks to the West Florida Public Library for sponsoring this exhibit.
We are very fortunate in this community to have so many wonderful events going on. I hope to see you at some of them.
Monday, May 2, 2011
City board openings
The City Council is looking for nominees for two boards. Serving on city boards is one way that citizens can take a more active role in the city government, and I hope that you will consider serving on one.
First is the city redistricting commission. The results of the most recent census are in, and the city needs to redistrict to balance the council seats. Service on this board will be short since the supervisor of elections will need the information by the early fall. Members of this commission must be residents of the city.
Second is the Community Maritime Park. The CMPA recently expanded the size of the board to broaden the citizen involvement. Therefore, there are now three vacancies for the board. It is an exciting time for the project, with construction to be complete by the end of the year. While the board meets monthly, those filling these vacancies will likely have quite a bit of homework to do to get up to speed. Many important decisions are still awaiting the board's deliberation, and it will be a great chance to have a role in one of the biggest projects in our community.
Please let me know if you might be interested in serving on either of this boards. Nominations are due by this Friday, May 6.
First is the city redistricting commission. The results of the most recent census are in, and the city needs to redistrict to balance the council seats. Service on this board will be short since the supervisor of elections will need the information by the early fall. Members of this commission must be residents of the city.
Second is the Community Maritime Park. The CMPA recently expanded the size of the board to broaden the citizen involvement. Therefore, there are now three vacancies for the board. It is an exciting time for the project, with construction to be complete by the end of the year. While the board meets monthly, those filling these vacancies will likely have quite a bit of homework to do to get up to speed. Many important decisions are still awaiting the board's deliberation, and it will be a great chance to have a role in one of the biggest projects in our community.
Please let me know if you might be interested in serving on either of this boards. Nominations are due by this Friday, May 6.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Transit survey
Would you like to share your opinions on public transportation in our community? You are invited to take the transit survey that will help inform the Northwest Florida Transit Development Plans. The results of this survey will help the West Florida Regional Planning Council in planning for future projects. Feel free to share other transit thoughts with me directly, as well.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Bands on the Bayou
The city parks department is trying a new program, Bands on the Bayou. Bring a chair or blanket to Bayview Park Pier and enjoy the sounds of local middle and high school bands. Vendors will be on site selling food items. This free event starts at 6 pm. This program should be a great opportunity to enjoy music and one of our most beautiful parks.
The kick-off schedule is:
The kick-off schedule is:
| Date | Band | Music |
| March 25th | Warrington Middle School | Guitar |
| April 1st | Woodham Middle School | Jazz |
| April 8th | Escambia High School | Jazz |
| April 15th | Workman Middle School | Jazz |
| April 22nd | Washington High School | Jazz |
| April 29th | NO CONCERT - SPRING BREAK | |
| May 6th | Bailey Middle School | Jazz |
| May 13th | Escambia High School | Jazz |
| May 20th | Pine Forest High School | Jazz |
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Great American Cleanup in Pensacola
Clean and Green is coordinating many events in honor of the Great American Cleanup. They provide an opportunity for us to get together with friends, coworkers, and others to improve the looks of our community. It is also a great opportunity to get young people involved in making a difference in our community. Last year I had the chance to participate in the downtown clean up with my daughter, who was 7 at the time. Not only did she become much more cognizant of the impact of littering, I think it was the best anti-smoking program I could have ever come up with--she became disgusted by the numbers of cigarette butts we ended up picking up.
If you can't make it to one of these events, consider partnering with your neighbors to do a pick up in your local park. Or take a family walk with a garbage bag and see how fast you can fill it. If you do want to coordinate a special event, whether picking up litter, planting flowers, or sprucing up neighborhood entrances or public parks, contact Clean and Green and they can help provide support. Who knows--you might have so much fun you will want to adopt your neighborhood park.
Contact Clean and Green to sign up to participate in one of the currently scheduled events in the area:
March 12th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Downtown Cleanup: Coordinator Kim Kimbrough /Melissa Hulen
Area: Streets of downtown Pensacola
Meeting location: Plaza De Luna - end of S Palafox
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
March 12th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Warrington Cleanup: Coordinator Kristie Sitler
Area: Warrington/Lexington Park
Meeting location: Lexington Park
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
March 19th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Project Greenshores/Hawkshaw Memorial Cleanup
Meeting location: Hawkshaw Missing Children's Memorial - Bayfront Parkway (Across from the Veterans Park)
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
March 26th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Thompson Bayou: Coordinator Karen Pritchard
Area: Thompson Bayou off UWF campus
Meeting location: Bldg 13 (Environmental Studies) at entrance to the Edward Ball Nature Trail (parking lot G)
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
April 9th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Whitmire Cemetery: Coordinator Karen Pritchard
Area: Whitmire Cemetery, West of West Florida Hospital
Meeting location: Cemetery
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
April 14th, 8:00 am-12:00pm.
This is a Thursday!
Mt Zion Cemetery: Coordinator Stephanie Planich
Area: Cross St and Guillemarde
Meeting location: Cemetery
April 16th, 9:00 -1:00 pm.
Union Hill Cemetery: Coordinator Mark Caro
Area:Fairfield & 69th Ave
Meeting location: Cemetery
Kickoff Time: 9:00 am
April 23rd, 8:00 -11:00 am.
Barrineau Park Cleanup: Coordinator Tina Tuttle
Area: Molino
Meeting location: Community Center
Kickoff Time: 8:00 am
April 30th, 8:00 am-12:00pm.
Landscaping: Latter Day Saints
Area: TBD
Meeting location: TBD
Kickoff Time: 8:00 am
If you can't make it to one of these events, consider partnering with your neighbors to do a pick up in your local park. Or take a family walk with a garbage bag and see how fast you can fill it. If you do want to coordinate a special event, whether picking up litter, planting flowers, or sprucing up neighborhood entrances or public parks, contact Clean and Green and they can help provide support. Who knows--you might have so much fun you will want to adopt your neighborhood park.
Contact Clean and Green to sign up to participate in one of the currently scheduled events in the area:
March 12th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Downtown Cleanup: Coordinator Kim Kimbrough /Melissa Hulen
Area: Streets of downtown Pensacola
Meeting location: Plaza De Luna - end of S Palafox
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
March 12th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Warrington Cleanup: Coordinator Kristie Sitler
Area: Warrington/Lexington Park
Meeting location: Lexington Park
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
March 19th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Project Greenshores/Hawkshaw Memorial Cleanup
Meeting location: Hawkshaw Missing Children's Memorial - Bayfront Parkway (Across from the Veterans Park)
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
March 26th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Thompson Bayou: Coordinator Karen Pritchard
Area: Thompson Bayou off UWF campus
Meeting location: Bldg 13 (Environmental Studies) at entrance to the Edward Ball Nature Trail (parking lot G)
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
April 9th, 8:30-11:30AM.
Whitmire Cemetery: Coordinator Karen Pritchard
Area: Whitmire Cemetery, West of West Florida Hospital
Meeting location: Cemetery
Kickoff Time: 8:30 am
April 14th, 8:00 am-12:00pm.
This is a Thursday!
Mt Zion Cemetery: Coordinator Stephanie Planich
Area: Cross St and Guillemarde
Meeting location: Cemetery
April 16th, 9:00 -1:00 pm.
Union Hill Cemetery: Coordinator Mark Caro
Area:Fairfield & 69th Ave
Meeting location: Cemetery
Kickoff Time: 9:00 am
April 23rd, 8:00 -11:00 am.
Barrineau Park Cleanup: Coordinator Tina Tuttle
Area: Molino
Meeting location: Community Center
Kickoff Time: 8:00 am
April 30th, 8:00 am-12:00pm.
Landscaping: Latter Day Saints
Area: TBD
Meeting location: TBD
Kickoff Time: 8:00 am
Monday, February 14, 2011
Maritime Park public spaces workshop
The Maritime Park board is hosting a public workshop to review the plans for the public park spaces of the park. Information about landscaping, lighting, benches, and other amenities will be presented for discussion. The meeting will be held at City Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 5:30 p.m. Come and see what is planned to make this park a unique destination.
Friday, February 11, 2011
9th Av traffic study
Escambia County is holding a meeting to discuss improvements to the 9th Ave corridor from Underwood Av to Creighton Road. The meeting will be held Saturday, February 19, from 9 am to 1 pm at Cokesbury United Methodist Church. It will be a workshop, and there is no need to attend the whole session.
This workshop is part of a study to consider design changes and alternative routes to alleviate congestion and safety issues of 9th Av. A major focal point will be the 9th Av/Langley/Tippin intersection.
While much of the area under consideration is in the county, this is an important corridor for city residents as well, particularly those living in Scenic Heights. A presentation regarding some alternatives considered in this study was shared with the city council previously. Some ideas they are considering include closing the section of Langley beside the airport, routing traffic along McAllister Blvd. These changes will likely be significant, and I hope that city residents make their voices heard.
If you have any questions about the meeting, you could contact Dennis Moxley, the project manager in Escambia County.
This workshop is part of a study to consider design changes and alternative routes to alleviate congestion and safety issues of 9th Av. A major focal point will be the 9th Av/Langley/Tippin intersection.
While much of the area under consideration is in the county, this is an important corridor for city residents as well, particularly those living in Scenic Heights. A presentation regarding some alternatives considered in this study was shared with the city council previously. Some ideas they are considering include closing the section of Langley beside the airport, routing traffic along McAllister Blvd. These changes will likely be significant, and I hope that city residents make their voices heard.
If you have any questions about the meeting, you could contact Dennis Moxley, the project manager in Escambia County.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
No such thing as free parking
--except in Monopoly
The recent article in the PNJ about parking at UWF has spurred me to share some thoughts on parking.
We live in a culture that cherishes the freedom implied by automobiles. Since the advent of the automobile, we have built our cities around them, easing their use. One thing that we have come to expect is ample, free parking.
But is free parking really free?
Take a look at the recent CRA master plan. Much of downtown is cove
red with surface parking (shown in purple and red), occupying our prime commercial land. That is land that could house businesses or residences. Businesses that would draw more people downtown, whether to shop or to work. Residences that increase the numbers of people living downtown. Both would contribute to our local economy and support our city services.If the land were occupied by buildings, walking downtown would be much more pleasant. Consider how appealing walking on Palafox St is, with the variety of window displays to interest you. Compare that to walking on Romana St, past large expanses of parking. Or, a more extreme case, compare it to walking along 9th Ave beside Cordova Mall.
Businesses throughout our community subsidize parking (and, therefore, driving). The business must buy more land than it needs for its actual work and then pays taxes on the land that is taken up by parking.
But we “need” all of that parking. Most people can’t walk or bike to work, and our bus system is inadequate. To reduce the amount of our land dedicated to parking without an uproar, we must reduce the demand for parking. People need an incentive to consider an alternative to just hopping in the car.
What kind of incentive could there be? Many businesses downtown currently pay for parking spaces for their employees. Instead of paying for those spots directly, what if they gave the money to their employees, letting them make the decision for themselves about how much they are willing to pay for the convenience? Alternatively, employers could start paying employees who forgo their parking spot, a little reward for using a different, and mostly likely less convenient, way of getting to work.
I do not expect that such a simple program alone will make much of a dent in our transportation challenges. Nor would it transform our landscape overnight. However, it will be a regular reminder that there are options and there are incentives to try something different. Employees could switch to carpooling, the bus, or other means. People might start asking for a better transit system, and the transit system would have the riders to justify an increase in the service. And better service might draw more folks, and perhaps the number of people driving to work will begin to decrease. With less demand, perhaps businesses won't need to continue to subsidize parking so much.
The oil spill last spring was a horrible reminder of what our collective actions can do to our environment. The devastating results of our dependence on oil should encourage us as a community to step up and take leadership in changing our behavior. Small steps such as this can start the shift.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Choosing a council president
Next Monday Pensacola embarks on a new era in our city government. The first elected mayor will be sworn in. It’s time to heal any rifts from a vigorously fought campaign, time for our entire community to unite in wishing Mayor Hayward great success in moving Pensacola to take its rightful place as one of the great cities in the Southeast.
But another important step will also take place on Monday--one that is also critical to the success of city government under the new charter. That is the election of the council president. And just as Mayor Hayward will shape the roll of mayor, the new president will have a vital role in determining how city government functions under the new charter.
So what qualities should we look for in a council president?
Diligence and attention to detail. The new president will work with staff to prepare meeting agendas. It’s not sexy, won’t garner applause, but it is an important and time-consuming function of the new council president. The president needs to thoroughly understand the City budget and be grounded in public policy and make sure that something as mundane as a meeting agenda helps accomplish our long-range goals.
A team-builder. The new council will blend new faces with old. While we may represent different constituencies, while we may differ on issues and vigorously debate our points of view, we must do everything possible to avoid a polarized council. The new president will need to be able to set aside his or her personal agenda to help create a team out of diverse viewpoints and talents. The council as a whole must be bigger than any individual member.
A bridge builder. The council president will be the liaison between the council and the mayor and the council and staff. He or she must earn the respect and trust and establish good working relationships with Mayor Hayward as well as with the city staff.
Able to recognize and tap creativity. We have a diverse and talented council. The president should tap the unique skills of the other council members. As committee chairs, council members can play an active role in setting City policy. (It would be a mistake, I believe, to place all of the power in one council president heading the only committee, squandering the depth and breadth of leadership that exists in the council.)
Able to run open, efficient meetings. The president must be respectful and open to citizen input, fair to all members of council, able to maintain discussion that is germane without being heavy handed, and respectful of everyone’s time. A complete understanding of Robert’s Rules of Order is a must.
Committed to making this new charter work. The charter is short. It broadly outlines the structure of our new form government. But there is a lot of gray area. The council president will collaborate closely with the mayor to create a functioning government that is consistent with the spirit of the Charter the citizens ratified and to serve the best long-term interests of Pensacola
Finally, the choice of council president this Monday will embody the council's vision for its role in this government. It is as important as any decision this council will make.
The deliberations of the city council are an important part of representative government. The mayor will act outside of the spotlight, while the council is the public face of decision making and a primary entree for citizen input. It is the open government branch. The council president will set the tone for these deliberations, from setting agendas to running meetings to empowering other council members.
This is an exciting time to be involved in the city government. Each of the members of the government have unique roles. We are no longer supporters or foes of candidates or of the charter, but we are all working together as supporters of Pensacola and Pensacolians. I look forward to working with the council, the mayor, and the citizens to create a government that is effective, efficient, and innovative—putting us on the path of becoming one of the great cities in the Southeast.
But another important step will also take place on Monday--one that is also critical to the success of city government under the new charter. That is the election of the council president. And just as Mayor Hayward will shape the roll of mayor, the new president will have a vital role in determining how city government functions under the new charter.
So what qualities should we look for in a council president?
Diligence and attention to detail. The new president will work with staff to prepare meeting agendas. It’s not sexy, won’t garner applause, but it is an important and time-consuming function of the new council president. The president needs to thoroughly understand the City budget and be grounded in public policy and make sure that something as mundane as a meeting agenda helps accomplish our long-range goals.
A team-builder. The new council will blend new faces with old. While we may represent different constituencies, while we may differ on issues and vigorously debate our points of view, we must do everything possible to avoid a polarized council. The new president will need to be able to set aside his or her personal agenda to help create a team out of diverse viewpoints and talents. The council as a whole must be bigger than any individual member.
A bridge builder. The council president will be the liaison between the council and the mayor and the council and staff. He or she must earn the respect and trust and establish good working relationships with Mayor Hayward as well as with the city staff.
Able to recognize and tap creativity. We have a diverse and talented council. The president should tap the unique skills of the other council members. As committee chairs, council members can play an active role in setting City policy. (It would be a mistake, I believe, to place all of the power in one council president heading the only committee, squandering the depth and breadth of leadership that exists in the council.)
Able to run open, efficient meetings. The president must be respectful and open to citizen input, fair to all members of council, able to maintain discussion that is germane without being heavy handed, and respectful of everyone’s time. A complete understanding of Robert’s Rules of Order is a must.
Committed to making this new charter work. The charter is short. It broadly outlines the structure of our new form government. But there is a lot of gray area. The council president will collaborate closely with the mayor to create a functioning government that is consistent with the spirit of the Charter the citizens ratified and to serve the best long-term interests of Pensacola
Finally, the choice of council president this Monday will embody the council's vision for its role in this government. It is as important as any decision this council will make.
The deliberations of the city council are an important part of representative government. The mayor will act outside of the spotlight, while the council is the public face of decision making and a primary entree for citizen input. It is the open government branch. The council president will set the tone for these deliberations, from setting agendas to running meetings to empowering other council members.
This is an exciting time to be involved in the city government. Each of the members of the government have unique roles. We are no longer supporters or foes of candidates or of the charter, but we are all working together as supporters of Pensacola and Pensacolians. I look forward to working with the council, the mayor, and the citizens to create a government that is effective, efficient, and innovative—putting us on the path of becoming one of the great cities in the Southeast.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Technology Park and Admiral Mason Pond
One question that I get asked often is what the city is doing to recruit high tech businesses, often with the request that the city use surplus property as a lure. I want to share with you a bit of information about two related projects that are currently underway. You might have heard about them at some point, but there is great forward momentum now, and I'd like to bring you up to date.
Technology Park
Several years ago, Ray Gindroz and his team of urban designers visited Pensacola and created a plan for the Pensacola Historic District. One of the main elements was to better utilize the field just south of the Civic Center. Currently it is used for parking for Civic Center events, as well as a little golfing, assembly for the military units who participate in the McGuire's St. Patrick's Day run, and housing elephants when the circus is in town. Not the highest and best use of a large urban parcel.
For several years, the city and the county (most of the space is county owned) have worked with the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce to create a plan for that space, which has become know as the Tech Park. The park is envisioned as a shovel-ready site for technology companies that want to locate to our downtown. Industries such as information technology and life sciences will be targeted, and companies purchasing parcels must commit to providing 50 jobs with an average wage at least 125% of the average county wage.
I'm pleased to share with you that recently the chamber finalized a contract for the development of the infrastructure improvements (a new road, sidewalks, streetlights, etc) for the project. Construction should begin in the next 30 days with completion within the next 8 months. Half of the approximately $4 million in infrastructure improvements will be funded through a federal stimulus grant (you might have noticed the signs on the property).
The chamber is currently in discussions with at least one company about locating there. However, the advantage of this project is that it will provide sites for companies who may not be able to wait very long for infrastructure improvements and the like, so we should see more movement once the infrastructure is in. It will be a great boost for our local economy, bringing more folks to our downtown, and will strengthen Pensacola's position for future economic growth.
Admiral Mason Pond
Well, you might say, "The county is putting up the land for the project--what is the city doing?" The city's largest role is rather unique. One of the biggest expenses for a new development is
meeting the stormwater retention requirements. Most developments dig a hole, which isn't too hard, but it takes up valuable land. It also reduces the density of the project, making it less compatible with an urban environment (if it is a downtown project). To assist the tech park project, the city is building a stormwater retention pond.
This isn't just any old pond, though. This is going to be a feature of our downtown. The pond will be located at Admiral Mason Park, at the corner of 9th Av and Romana, adjacent to Veteran's Park. It is going to be an attraction, rather than something behind chain link fences. The perimeter of the pond will be quite long, about a third of a mile--a great exercise loop for the walkers and runners out there as well as a nice place for a quiet stroll. The pond will have fountains spraying in it, so it will likely be visible from Bayfront as you approach the city. The city council will likely award the $1 million dollar contract for the pond construction (funded through the annual stormwater capital program) this week, with construction beginning in November.
This pond will provide stormwater retention for the tech park. In addition, it will be able to accommodate further development on other undeveloped parcels in the surrounding area, increasing the potential for other economic development downtown.
So, in a sense, the city is providing city property for economic development. But the citizens are not losing any property but rather are gaining a new type of park, a new kind of attraction.
This entire project, the tech park and the pond, are an intriguing collaboration among many partners--the city, the county, the chamber, even the federal government--which is going to provide economic growth, a new park feature, increase density in our urban core, and even improve the looks of our community on one of the most heavily traveled gateways to our city. I look forward to the current construction efforts and hope to see new building sprouting up very soon.
Technology Park
Several years ago, Ray Gindroz and his team of urban designers visited Pensacola and created a plan for the Pensacola Historic District. One of the main elements was to better utilize the field just south of the Civic Center. Currently it is used for parking for Civic Center events, as well as a little golfing, assembly for the military units who participate in the McGuire's St. Patrick's Day run, and housing elephants when the circus is in town. Not the highest and best use of a large urban parcel.
For several years, the city and the county (most of the space is county owned) have worked with the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce to create a plan for that space, which has become know as the Tech Park. The park is envisioned as a shovel-ready site for technology companies that want to locate to our downtown. Industries such as information technology and life sciences will be targeted, and companies purchasing parcels must commit to providing 50 jobs with an average wage at least 125% of the average county wage.
I'm pleased to share with you that recently the chamber finalized a contract for the development of the infrastructure improvements (a new road, sidewalks, streetlights, etc) for the project. Construction should begin in the next 30 days with completion within the next 8 months. Half of the approximately $4 million in infrastructure improvements will be funded through a federal stimulus grant (you might have noticed the signs on the property).
The chamber is currently in discussions with at least one company about locating there. However, the advantage of this project is that it will provide sites for companies who may not be able to wait very long for infrastructure improvements and the like, so we should see more movement once the infrastructure is in. It will be a great boost for our local economy, bringing more folks to our downtown, and will strengthen Pensacola's position for future economic growth.
Admiral Mason Pond
Well, you might say, "The county is putting up the land for the project--what is the city doing?" The city's largest role is rather unique. One of the biggest expenses for a new development is
meeting the stormwater retention requirements. Most developments dig a hole, which isn't too hard, but it takes up valuable land. It also reduces the density of the project, making it less compatible with an urban environment (if it is a downtown project). To assist the tech park project, the city is building a stormwater retention pond.This isn't just any old pond, though. This is going to be a feature of our downtown. The pond will be located at Admiral Mason Park, at the corner of 9th Av and Romana, adjacent to Veteran's Park. It is going to be an attraction, rather than something behind chain link fences. The perimeter of the pond will be quite long, about a third of a mile--a great exercise loop for the walkers and runners out there as well as a nice place for a quiet stroll. The pond will have fountains spraying in it, so it will likely be visible from Bayfront as you approach the city. The city council will likely award the $1 million dollar contract for the pond construction (funded through the annual stormwater capital program) this week, with construction beginning in November.
This pond will provide stormwater retention for the tech park. In addition, it will be able to accommodate further development on other undeveloped parcels in the surrounding area, increasing the potential for other economic development downtown.
So, in a sense, the city is providing city property for economic development. But the citizens are not losing any property but rather are gaining a new type of park, a new kind of attraction.
This entire project, the tech park and the pond, are an intriguing collaboration among many partners--the city, the county, the chamber, even the federal government--which is going to provide economic growth, a new park feature, increase density in our urban core, and even improve the looks of our community on one of the most heavily traveled gateways to our city. I look forward to the current construction efforts and hope to see new building sprouting up very soon.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Bayfront Sunday - October 24
The second trial of Bayfront Sundays will be held October 24. Bayfront Parkway between Chase and Tarragona will be open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic from 8 am to 5 pm. This is a great opportunity to enjoy our beautiful waterfront and downtown while enjoying exercise, being with your family, and meeting others from our city. While you are downtown, do consider patronizing the downtown businesses--road closures typically negatively impact their business, but I am hopeful that an event like this will provide a boost to their typical Sunday crowd rather than an hinderance.
This trial had originally been scheduled for June, but the summer heat had already settled in, so we postponed until the cooler weather. This pleasant October weather is a wonderful opportunity for us to get outside and be reminded of why we endure the summer heat--so we can enjoy such a beautiful fall.
Attendance at this trial will determine whether the city ought to continue with a program like this, so if you'd like to see it continue, plan on coming down and help spread the word.
We have a facebook page about the event--check it out and share your plans for the day. Additional information about the event is in previous blog posts from last spring and the spring before.
This trial had originally been scheduled for June, but the summer heat had already settled in, so we postponed until the cooler weather. This pleasant October weather is a wonderful opportunity for us to get outside and be reminded of why we endure the summer heat--so we can enjoy such a beautiful fall.
Attendance at this trial will determine whether the city ought to continue with a program like this, so if you'd like to see it continue, plan on coming down and help spread the word.
We have a facebook page about the event--check it out and share your plans for the day. Additional information about the event is in previous blog posts from last spring and the spring before.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Cyberbullying and other internet risks
The unfortunate events of recent weeks have reminded us all of the incredible potential of the internet, for both good and bad. We all know that cyberbullying, big and small, is happening all of the time, but we often wonder what we can do about it, how we can protect the kids in our lives. I'd like to share a special resource with you.
The Pensacola Police Department has an informative presentation about cyberbullying and other internet risks which often affect teens. There are two versions, ones for teens and one for adults. I have been fortunate enough to have seen the adult version, and it is amazing, though, unfortunately, quite depressing. It definitely sticks with you and provides incentive and ideas for talking about the dangers with kids. The PPD provides this presentation in various forums, and if you have a group that might be interested in seeing the presentation, please contact Chris Wilkinson.
While most often we think that the police just chase down bad guys or give out tickets, they provide a range of services, including presentations such as this, online crime mapping, and the Are You O.K.? and Take Me Home program, to enhance the safety of our citizens. I hope that you will take advantage of these programs so that together we can work to keep our community safe.
The Pensacola Police Department has an informative presentation about cyberbullying and other internet risks which often affect teens. There are two versions, ones for teens and one for adults. I have been fortunate enough to have seen the adult version, and it is amazing, though, unfortunately, quite depressing. It definitely sticks with you and provides incentive and ideas for talking about the dangers with kids. The PPD provides this presentation in various forums, and if you have a group that might be interested in seeing the presentation, please contact Chris Wilkinson.
While most often we think that the police just chase down bad guys or give out tickets, they provide a range of services, including presentations such as this, online crime mapping, and the Are You O.K.? and Take Me Home program, to enhance the safety of our citizens. I hope that you will take advantage of these programs so that together we can work to keep our community safe.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Parks photo contest ending
For all of you shutterbugs out there.... The deadline for submitting photos for this year's park photo contest is October 8. Winning photos will be included in the parks calendar for 2011. It is a beautiful time of year, finally nice enough to go out and enjoy our wonderful parks. Bring your camera along and shoot some pictures. More information and a listing of all of our great parks are available on the parks department website.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Talking Trash
Recently I had a conversation with a friend. She mentioned how informative a tour she took of the San Francisco landfill was and commented how neat it would be to have such things here. To her surprise, I told her that we do have them, that I've been on the tour, and the tours here, too, are really interesting and informative.
I bet that friend isn't the only one who is curious about what happens to our trash after the truck comes. So, if you are interested in learning about the local landfill, you can take a tour on the last Wednesday of the month every month. Tours are at 10, noon, and 2 pm. They appreciate RSVPs, and you can call (850-937-2160) with other questions. I guarantee you will walk away with lots of information about trash.
If you can't get away for a tour, you can read my blog post about my visit. You can also view a video about the landfill. For other information about the Perdido Landfill, visit their website.
I bet that friend isn't the only one who is curious about what happens to our trash after the truck comes. So, if you are interested in learning about the local landfill, you can take a tour on the last Wednesday of the month every month. Tours are at 10, noon, and 2 pm. They appreciate RSVPs, and you can call (850-937-2160) with other questions. I guarantee you will walk away with lots of information about trash.
If you can't get away for a tour, you can read my blog post about my visit. You can also view a video about the landfill. For other information about the Perdido Landfill, visit their website.
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