More Than 100 Hiring Companies and Service Providers Expected

Job seekers from throughout the Jacksonville area can seek opportunities at the 2015 Citywide Job and Resource Fair at the Prime Osborn Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, hosted by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and Mayor Alvin Brown. More than 100 companies and service providers are expected to attend.

Program Will Connect Local Young People with the Great Outdoors

Mayor Alvin Brown today announced that Jacksonville was selected by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a priority city for its new Youth in the Great Outdoors initiative.

The bold new initiative will work to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards and inspire millions of young adults to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors. Mayor Brown joined National Park Service Deputy Director Peggy O’Dell and Eric Mann, president & CEO of Florida’s First Coast YMCA, to announce that Jacksonville has been selected as one of the first 50 cities to participate in the nationwide movement.

The Jacksonville City Council will meet on Thursday, June 25, 2015, 5:00 p.m., in Jacoby Hall, at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, to install the Honorable Gregory B. Anderson as the 2015-2016 Council President, the Honorable Lori N. Boyer as the 2015-2016 Council Vice President, the 2015-2019 Jacksonville City Council, and Jerry Holland, Property Appraiser for their upcoming terms.

Renew Jax Project Will Improve Drainage and Reduce Flooding, Erosion

In the latest Renew Jax project to begin construction, Mayor Alvin Brown and Councilmember Reggie Brown today broke ground on a major drainage project along Avenue B and Zinnia Avenue on Jacksonville’s Northside.

View the Avenue B & Zinnia Avenue Fact Sheet

The project, which invests more than $3 million, includes the installation of over 1,300 feet of box culvert to improve drainage in the area. The completed construction will also increase driver and pedestrian safety by enclosing the existing drainage ditch along Avenue B and Zinnia Avenue from Edgewood Avenue to Moncrief Road.

Enhanced JaxScore Performance Dashboard Optimizes Services 

The City of Jacksonville today launched an update to its online performance dashboard in an effort to optimize services for residents and increase transparency and accountability. The new JaxScore 2.0 will provide an interactive tool so residents can examine the City’s performance delivering services.

View JaxScore online
 
“These updates to the JaxScore dashboard will help the city streamline operations and services to provide an even greater return for Jacksonville taxpayers,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “As cities across the country look to do more with less, technology plays a key part in accomplishing that goal. I commend the city’s hard-working team for their continuing efforts to make our operations as effective and efficient as possible.”

Funding Will Help Spur Redevelopment and Revitalization in Jacksonville Neighborhoods

The City of Jacksonville will receive $400,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess contaminated Brownfields properties.

The EPA selected Jacksonville for two Brownfields assessment grants. A $200,000 community-wide hazardous substances grant will be used to conduct between eight and 10 environmental site assessments.  Community-wide petroleum grant funding totaling $200,000 will be used to conduct six to eight environmental site assessments. The funding will also be used to develop an inventory of Brownfields sites throughout the city, conduct community outreach activities and prepare cleanup and area-wide plans.

CIO Magazine Includes Jacksonville Among Top Effective, Innovative Users of IT

The City of Jacksonville received national recognition this week for its effective, innovative use of information technology. IDG’s CIO Magazine named the city as a recipient of the 2015 CIO 100 Awards, highlighting organizations that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence.

City to Release 2015-2016 Emergency Preparedness Guide

As the Atlantic Hurricane Season kicks off on June 1, Mayor Alvin Brown and the City’s Emergency Preparedness Division remind residents that preparation is the best defense against a major storm and other threats to public safety. 

Most city government offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. 
 
Monday, May 25 closures include:

• City Hall at St. James, 117 W. Duval St.
• Ed Ball Building, 214 N. Hogan St.
• Jake M. Godbold City Hall Annex, 407 N. Laura St.
• Yates Building, 231 E. Forsyth St.
• The Office of the Tax Collector, as well as all Tax Collector branch offices, and the Office of the Property Appraiser.
• Duval County Courthouse, 501 West Adams St.
• Supervisor of Elections main office, 105 E. Monroe St.
• Animal Care and Protective Services, 2020 Forest St.
• Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department administrative offices, 515 N. Julia St.
• Recreation and Community Services Department offices, 214 N. Hogan St.
• All community and senior centers and gymnasiums managed by the Recreation and Community Services Department
• Victim Services Center, 403 W. 10th St.
• Jacksonville Children’s Commission, 1095 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.
• Behavioral and Human Services Division Emergency Assistance office, 1809 Art Museum Drive
• Right-of-Way and Grounds Maintenance administrative offices, 609 St. Johns Bluff Road
• Solid Waste Division administrative offices, 1031 Superior St.
• Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 2675 Commonwealth Ave.
• The Ritz Theatre & Museum, 829 N. Davis St.

The 2015 Jacksonville Jazz Festival presented by AARP kicks off today with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection Piano & Organs and will last through Sunday May 24. The festival will feature over 40 performers, five stages, and a vibrant street festival atmosphere.

“AARP believes music brings people together and nurtures a sense of community,” said Ken Thomas, AARP Florida’s volunteer state president. “We are pleased to present the 2015 Jacksonville Jazz Festival and to help people from Jacksonville and all over the United States connect with wonderful music, outstanding performers and a great community.”

The festival lineup includes performances by Soul Rebels, Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra, Felix Peikli & The Royal Flush Quintet presented by the Buffet Group, Roman Street, Kellylee Evans, Spyro Gyra, Maceo Parker, Postmodern Jukebox, Jazz Attack featuring Peter White, Richard Elliot and Euge Groove, Michael Franks, The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra with Peabo Bryson, Andy Snitzer, Ignacio Berroa, Noel Freidline Quintet, and Lisa McClendon, along with local favorites.