Tallahassee City Commission Meeting Briefs: January 18, 2022

Below are the news briefs from the Tallahassee City Commission meeting that took place on January 18, 2022.
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The City Commission heard a presentation from the Tallahassee-Leon County Commission the Status of Women and Girls (CSWG) as they presented their annual report. In the annual report, the chair of the commission presented their findings from the 2021-2022 recap which was intended to highlight the “impact and intersectionality of the COVID-19 pandemic” on women and girls with “an emphasis on women and girls of color and out LGBTQ+ community.”

The presenter also noted how they were focused on the “principles of justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion” and how they were affected.

After their findings they offered a number of policy recommendations including: enhancing mental health, support local or law enforcement agencies’ Mental Health Crisis Response Units, Incorporate the Free Youth Mental Health First Aid training, and conduct a youth survey among representative samples of women and girls who identify as LGBTQ+ in the city and county.

The PDF document of the presentation can be viewed here and the presentation during the City Commission meeting can be viewed here. 
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The city commission passed a number of items on the consent agenda in a bloc, one of them being a $550,000 purchase of natural gas from the Southeast Energy Authority. The city said that this is one of their tools to be able to keep natural gas and utility costs down and the savings of this contract with Southeast Energy Authority is estimated to exceed $550,000 per year. The resolution can be viewed here.

Similarly, the city also approved a resolution authorizing an Amendment to the 2017 Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corporation (TEAC) Gas Supply Agreement which allows the city to enter into a natural gas pre-paid agreement. It is expected to save city customers $492,000 per year on fuel expenses. The resolution can be viewed here.

One of the other items approved is awarded $1M to Premier Surface Solutions, Inc. for the renovating of the tennis courts Forestmeadows Park and Athletic Center. “The proposed renovation of Center’s remaining clay-surfaced tennis courts to hydro grid courts will provide a better playing surface and more efficient use of resources for long-term maintenance,” the city stated. The price schedule of the project can be viewed here.
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The city approved a contract worth over $10M to M of Tallahassee, Inc. to facilitate improved access of the airport at Capital Circle SW and will provide the necessary roadway, infrastructure, and site work needed to facilitate the development of the new Rental Car Quick Turnaround Service Facility.
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The City Commission approved a request to grant a variance to Chapter 5 of the Land and Development Code for construction of Phase I of the Northeast Gateway Project. The request was approved by a vote of 3 in favor, with Commissioners Matlow and Porter opposed. The variance was requested by Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency to allow construction of a roadway in a floodplain and wetland area located near the Welaunee Toe-East Planned Unit Development.
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The city commissioners had a debate over item 12.06 entitled “Building Management & Security” which would have permitted the City Manager to have “responsibility and authority over all aspects of building management” within City Facilities including City Hall.

Similar to other issues, Commissioners Jack Porter and Jeremy Matlow voiced their opposition. The item and debate can be viewed here.
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The full City Commission meeting can be viewed here.