Audrey Moran Responds to RAP's Mayoral Questionnaire

Riverside Avondale Preservation, in partnership with Springfield Preservation and Restoration, Greenscape and The City Beautiful Coalition (formerly JaxPride), sent questionnaires to all mayoral candidates. The questionnaires went out last Thursday and were due back on the 16th.

The nine-question questionnaire was mailed to mayoral candidates Alvin Brown, Mike Hogan, Steve Irvine, Warren Lee, Audrey Moran and Rick Mullaney. Only Ms. Moran responded to the questionnaire by the requested deadline; her answers are posted below.

Question 1: What are your top three proposals to enhance the visual appearance of the City?

Audrey Moran:

•  Improve city’s basic infrastructure: Early on, I met with leaders in Springfield who said they wanted two things from government: their sidewalks finished and trash picked up. Basics like litter removal and pressure washing are critical.
•  Keep our river clean: The St. Johns River is a symbol of our city and central to our quality of life, and I will work hard to ensure it is clean and available for our public to enjoy.
•  Support our parks: Jacksonville has a large, valuable park system; however, I will address critical infrastructure, access and maintenance needs.

Question 2: The Jacksonville Civic Council has recommended establishment of a Downtown Improvement Authority, which would focus on downtown revitalization, with powers and authority similar to other independent authorities in the City. NAIOP of Northeast Florida has made a similar recommendation. What is your position on this proposed Authority?

Audrey Moran:

The creation of a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will be the first bill I introduce as mayor. It will provide a dedicated, dynamic approach to downtown development. A vibrant downtown is a catalyst to contribute to the community’s overall tax base by attracting new businesses, growing opportunities for existing business, creating jobs and enhancing our quality of life. It will not create new, unnecessary bureaucracy; it will realign our economic development.

Question 3: Will you actively resist any attempts to weaken the City’s current sign regulations found in the Ordinance Code and Charter, either at the local level or by preemption legislation in the Florida Legislature?

Audrey Moran:

Yes. We have made significant progress in beautifying our city since the sign ordinance went into effect, and I will not allow that progress to be eroded.

Question 4: In Jacksonville, enforcement of the City’s codes regarding signs, tree and landscape protection and property safety is largely complaint driven, resulting in an inefficient, haphazard enforcement, as code enforcement officers drive past violations to cite the property about which there was a complaint. Do you support a proactive, systematic method of code enforcement?

Audrey Moran:

Yes. A complaint-driven only code enforcement system is not efficient or effective. We need to be proactive in enforcing the laws that keep Jacksonville safe and beautiful.

Question 5: The City’s Tree Protection Ordinance protects certain trees, depending on size, species and location on the property. It also requires mitigation when protected trees are removed. There is also a Tree Protection amendment to the City’s Charter, which was passed overwhelmingly by voter referendum in 2000. The City’s Landscape Ordinance sets certain minimum landscape standards when property is being developed. Will you actively fight any attempts to weaken the City’s Landscape and Tree Protection Ordinances?

Audrey Moran: 

Yes. The voters spoke loud and clear in 2000 when the amendment to the Charter was passed. Weakening it is counterproductive, and it would be bad for Jacksonville.

Question 6: The City’s Ordinance Code and Charter require that when protected trees are removed and replacement trees cannot be planted, a contribution must be made to the City’s Tree Protection Trust Fund. This fund is used to plant trees on public property to mitigate the impact of trees removed for development elsewhere. Use of the Fund monies for any other purpose could put the Fund in legal jeopardy. Will you oppose any attempts to use Tree Fund monies for any purpose other than tree planting?

Audrey Moran:

Yes. The Tree Protection Trust Fund has an important impact on our city’s greenscape, and that funding must be protected.

Question 7: In designated historical districts, should City buildings and properties comply with the design and performance standards and development criteria imposed upon other buildings and properties in the district?

Audrey Moran:

Yes. The city should lead by example in helping to retain the character of our historic neighborhoods.

Question 8: Do you support the 2030 Mobility Plan prepared by the City of Jacksonville Planning and Development Department?

Audrey Moran:

Yes. It is a real step forward for smart development in our community. It encourages infill development and will reduce suburban sprawl. It is a smart plan.

Question 9: Do you support the continued funding of a position for an historical preservation code enforcement officer?

Audrey Moran:

I do.