(TALLAHASSEE, FL.) - The city commissioners have been busy, meeting twice in one day.
Early in the morning on Mar. 11, the commissioners voted to approve the sale of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH) to Florida State University (FSU).
The previously predicted 3-2 vote came to fruition and will allow FSU Health to begin operating.
In honor of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, Commissioner Curtis Richardson opened Wednesday’s city commissioner meeting by honoring his late friend Ashley Peterman III, an advocate for multiple sclerosis.
Photo Credit: J.P. Moore Mortuary
Peterman passed away Jan. 7 at the age of 34, after years of battling and advocating for multiple sclerosis awareness.
Commissioner Richardson stayed on the podium to introduce National Women’s Month. Mar 8. as National Women’s Day, and several organizations were present in the commission chambers.
In a 4-1 vote, the city commissioners voted to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with the Big Bend organization on behalf of the police. The agreement gives the Tallahassee Police Department millions of dollars over the next three years.
Delilah Pierre, the president of Tallahassee Community Action Committee, spoke against the agreement. Pierre cited bigger priorities and hoped the commissioners would not provide support for what she felt was a corrupt department. She was notably critical of the Police Benevolence Association and their handling of the Calvin Riley case.
Mayor John Dailey was the only person to acknowledge Delilah’s statements, directly opposing her claims.
Photo Credit: YouTube
Commissioner Jacqueline Porter, the sole dissenter, voted against ratification because of the language involving controlled substances. While the city's zero-tolerance policy for controlled substances testing positive is in effect, the ratification gives discretion to the police chief.
For what appears to be the first time in years, Commissioner Richardson and Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox had voted against each other. In a 4-1 vote, Williams-Cox voted against the sale of two city blocks to developers.
The largest issue discussed on Mar. 11 was the incomplete projects. The Biltmore and Orange Venue roads have missed several deadlines, and the public spoke out against the contractors.
In a 4-1 vote with Mayor John Dailey in dissent, the commissioners decided to move forward with the city of Tallahassee’s development order and take the matter to the state level.
Photo Credit: YouTube
The decision comes after local community members have reached out to the developers with no response.
The vote will allow the city of Tallahassee to seek a State Level Appellate review, although the city will likely never get compensation for the issue.
However, bringing the issue to the governor's office can prevent St. Joe from obtaining more building permits and inflict more penalties on the company.
The roads were constantly depicted as dangerous and unsafe, which was a common complaint among speakers, as the roads are close to several local schools.
The developers, St. Joe Company, have taken advantage of the governor's emergency declaration to delay completing the project. The developers have ignored communication and poorly communicated their exemptions for not completing the city project.
Citizens came to the commissioners to question the integrity of St. Joe, expressing dismay with their responsiveness.
Many public comments were directed at the legality of missing the deadline. The city’s attorneys clarified how little the city of Tallahassee can do. The city can not act against the executive order, which St. Joe is citing, limiting the actions the city commissioners can take.
If you have any comments or questions, please comment, and email me at jason.f@lead4earth.org.
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