Action News Jax Investigates JTA

[thelakelander]

Most of the major cities have more reliable transit systems. When there's LRT or heavy rail already operating daily, people use them. For example, there's a Marta station a block or so away from the downtown Atlanta stadium, arena and convention center. Charlotte, Houston, San Diego, etc. developed their LRT systems in a similar fashion. JTA should follow suit. That's a simple, logical best practice.

[thelakelander]

Just watched this special. Very damning. Crazy amount of spending on questionable items like workplace massages, administrative salaries, etc. while bus service is piss poor and completely unreliable for those that depend on it. The story about a passenger missing a chemo appointment because the bus didn't come is horrific. I can see the stress the unreliable service places upon the transit users and the front line JTA employees who get those desparate calls on a consistant basis. I already knew the U2C won't work, so nothing new there, other then most of our leaders continue to bury their heads into the sand around that thing. Ultimately, it will likely take a lot of people down with it when shit hits the fan.

[thelakelander]

This was the U2C bomb shelter earlier this week. Passed by on Jefferson earlier this afternoon. I think it is about up now.

[marcuscnelson]

Just watched this special. Very damning. Crazy amount of spending on questionable items like workplace massages, administrative salaries, etc. will bus service is piss pour and completely unreliable for those that depend on it. The story about a passenger missing a chemo appointment because the bus didn't come is horrific. I can see the stress the unreliable service places upon the transit users and the front line JTA employees who get those desparate calls on a consistant basis. I already knew the U2C won't work, so nothing new there, other then most of our leaders continue to bury their heads into the sand around that thing. Ultimately, it will likely take a lot of people down with it when shit hits the fan.

I've beat this drum before but the saddest part will be having to pick up the pieces and rebuild public & political trust in public transportation investment after spending a decade taking everyone on a fantasy joyride and getting filthy rich in the process.

[thelakelander]

There's a lot to be said with both FDOT and COJ engineers being on record stating their serious concerns with the validity of the U2C project. People with experience and expertise in the field, that aren't being paid to keep the spending going on this boondoggle, aren't backing it. Heck, the FDOT board representative hasnt't been to a meeting in six years. That's also very telling. Nothing we haven't said here a million ties before, but the red flags are all around and way more concerning than anything involving the Skyway during its planning days.

[fsu813]

There's a lot to be said with both FDOT and COJ engineers being on record stating their serious concerns with the validity of the U2C project. People with experience and expertise in the field, that aren't being paid to keep the spending going on this boondoggle, aren't backing it. Heck, the FDOT board representative hasnt't been to a meeting in six years. That's also very telling. Nothing we haven't said here a million ties before, but the red flags are all around and way more concerning than anything involving the Skyway during its planning days.

Of note: the City Council rep of the area the U2C will mostly serve has also been publicly skeptical/not exactly supportive.

[jaxlongtimer]

There's a lot to be said with both FDOT and COJ engineers being on record stating their serious concerns with the validity of the U2C project. People with experience and expertise in the field, that aren't being paid to keep the spending going on this boondoggle, aren't backing it. Heck, the FDOT board representative hasnt't been to a meeting in six years. That's also very telling. Nothing we haven't said here a million ties before, but the red flags are all around and way more concerning than anything involving the Skyway during its planning days.

The FDOT district secretary should have a fiduciary responsibility as a JTA board member to attend meetings and stand up for the position of the FDOT team that has expressed (likely in muted terms to avoid making controversy for themselves as that is not good for State employees in the DeSantis administration) concerns that U2C has serious issues as a worthwhile project.  His abdication of this responsibility is unpardonable.  Maybe the Chamber cartel has gotten to him too via the Governor.

[Charles Hunter]

All this talk about the absence of the FDOT District Secretary from NFTPO meetings, so I checked the Florida Statute that creates and governs Metropolitan Planning Organizations (the original federal name of Transportation Planning Organizations)

FS 339.175 METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
(4) APPORTIONMENT.—
(a) Each M.P.O. shall review the composition of its membership in conjunction with the decennial census, ... the Governor and ... an M.P.O. shall cooperatively agree upon and prescribe who may serve as an alternate member and a method for appointing alternate members, who may vote at any M.P.O. meeting that he or she attends in place of a regular member. ... Representatives of the [Florida D]epartment [of Transportation] shall serve as nonvoting advisers to the M.P.O. governing board. Additional nonvoting advisers may be appointed by the M.P.O. as deemed necessary; ... An M.P.O. shall appoint nonvoting advisers representing major military installations located within the jurisdictional boundaries of the M.P.O. upon the request of the aforesaid major military installations and subject to the agreement of the M.P.O. All nonvoting advisers may attend and participate fully in governing board meetings but may not vote or be members of the governing board.

The NFTPO posts the agenda books for the three most recent board meetings. Each agenda book includes the minutes of the previous meeting.
The minutes for the April and May meetings show the following for FDOT representation:
Non-Voting Advisor Absent - Greg Evans, FDOT
Others Present - Larry Parks, Jim Knight, and Victoria Kutney from FDOT

June meeting
Non-Voting Advisory Present - Greg Evans, FDOT
Others Present - Achaia Brown and Victoria Kutney from FDOT

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Charles, we are not talking about NFTPO, but JTA, a totally separate entity.

From JTA's website:

JTA Board of Directors
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority's governing body is comprised of seven members. Three members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate, three members are appointed by Jacksonville's Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, and the seventh member is the District Two Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Members serve a four-year term with the exception of the FDOT Secretary who serves the length of his/her employment in that position and can be re-appointed for an additional four years. The board members of the JTA are not entitled to compensation but are reimbursed for travel and other expenses actually incurred in their duties as provided by law.

Ex-Officio Board Member & FDOT District Two Secretary
Greg Evans was appointed as the Florida Department of Transportation District Two Secretary on February 6, 2012. Mr. Evans is responsible for the day-to-day administrative, planning, production and operations activities for District Two, which encompasses 18 counties, covers nearly 12,000 square miles in North Central Florida, and maintains 8,200 lane miles of roadway and over 1,200 bridges. The area is also served by two deep-water ports and three major rail lines.

Evans has over 21 years of experience in the management and operations of public infrastructure. He is an alumnus of Southern Institute of Technology, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology.

Evans joined the Board in 2012 as an Ex-Officio Member representing the Florida Department of Transportation, District Two.

Florida statute governing JTA:

349.03 Jacksonville Transportation Authority.—
(1) There is hereby created and established a body politic and corporate and an agency of the state to be known as the Jacksonville Expressway Authority, redesignated as the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and hereinafter referred to as the “authority.”
(2) The governing body of the authority shall consist of seven members. Three members shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Three members shall be appointed by the mayor of the City of Jacksonville subject to confirmation by the council of the City of Jacksonville. The seventh member shall be the district secretary of the Department of Transportation serving in the district that contains the City of Jacksonville. Except for the seventh member, members shall be residents and qualified electors of Duval County...

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0349/Sections/0349.03.html#:~:text=(1)%20There%20is%20hereby%20created,to%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9Cauthority.%E2%80%9D

Typical Ex-Officio set up is described below:

Ex officio members of the board have all the same rights, privileges, duties and obligations as any other board member. They can participate in debates and vote on all matters. As with all other board members, ex officio board members must always act in the organization’s best interest...

....Responsibilities of an Ex Officio Member
Nonprofits must clearly explain the roles and responsibilities of ex officio members in the bylaws. Here, members should gain an understanding of any important exclusions in case there are any questions about the role of ex officio members.

The specific responsibilities of ex officio members vary by organization; however, the following are common duties:

Attend Board Meetings: Ex officio board members should attend board meetings and participate in discussions.

Provide Expertise: Ex officio board members often get chosen based on their experience in a particular area. For this reason, they should provide guidance and advice to the board based on their background and skills.

Represent the Organization: Ex officio board members are often seen as representatives of the organization or group they represent and are expected to act in the best interests of that organization or group.

Report to the Board: Depending on their role, ex officio board members may provide regular reports to the board on the activities and progress of their organization or group.

Vote on Board Decisions: Ex officio board members may have the right to vote on board decisions. However, this can depend on the organization’s bylaws.

Serve on Committees: Ex officio board members may serve on committees or subcommittees of the board to help address specific issues or areas of concern related to their expertise...

https://www.boardeffect.com/blog/what-is-the-role-of-an-ex-officio-board-member/#:~:text=The%20term%20'ex%20officio'%20is,or%20another%20position%20they%20hold.%E2%80%9D

[jax_hwy_engineer]

JTA exemplifies why I always love new taxes. The government always spends our money so responsibly and only uses it to improve our lives! It makes me feel so good to involuntarily give my hard earned money to the government, because with innovative projects like the U2C, they only use it to better the lives of their citizens! Oh, and because they're government appointed, they have to be held accountable and work FOR the people, not for their own gain!

What a lovely organization that I'm so glad gets a cut of my gas bill each month.

THANKS JTA!

[Charles Hunter]

^ Charles, we are not talking about NFTPO, but JTA, a totally separate entity.

Geebus - what a brain fart ... I apologize for the kinds of errors that drive me crazy when others perpetrate them.

I will now go sit in the corner and eat worms.
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As I recall, JTA does not have Member Alternates, in case the appointed member cannot attend. That said, does anyone from FDOT attend the JTA Board meetings? The logical ones would be from among those who attend NFTPO meetings. It doesn't look like JTA posts meeting minutes, just agendas.

[marcuscnelson]

Speaking of JTA board meetings, they are holding one tomorrow at the JRTC. Those wishing to speak during public comment must email or call in a request before 5pm today.