At their first meeting of 2022 Thursday, city commissioners, with City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker absent, voted to keep Gainesville workers safe from rising COVID-19 cases in the county.
Gainesville is holding its City Commission election for the mayor at-large seat and districts two, three and four on Aug. 23, 2022.
Wheeler won her seat on the County Commission in 2018 and is now entering the fourth and final year of her term as commissioner after being appointed to chair on Nov. 9. Commissioners will serve as the chair at some point before their term ends, said Wheeler, who served as vice-chair last year.
Voters who supported the other three candidates — Scherwin Henry, Patrick Ingle and Gabe Kaimowitz — are now tasked with making another choice. Both candidates have adapted their campaign styles to attract more voters.
The Gainesville City Commission voted Thursday to allow The Standard, located at 1360 W University Ave, to open its residential parking lots to the public. The change comes amid an effort pioneered by Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos. The apartment complex can choose whether to allow the public to use the parking garage, which previously wasn’t a permitted option.
Neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, which resulted in a necessary runoff election on Jan. 25. Chestnut received 46% of the votes, with a 560 lead over Howland, who received 41%. More than 13% of the nearly 90,000 eligible Gainesville voters turned out in the election, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office.
The event targeted Black voters in Gainesville and featured many performances, including gospel singer Keyla Richardson as well as speeches from candidates, city commissioners and other community leaders.
As of Sunday, almost 8,000 ballots have been cast according to the Supervisor of Elections Office — representing about 8.8% of total eligible voters in Gainesville. More than 6,000 of the ballots have been mailed in.
Early voting for the special election begins Nov. 12 and ends Nov. 14, and registered Gainesville residents can vote at the Alachua Supervisor of Elections Office or the Millhopper Branch Library from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
After passing a unanimous vote at a meeting Thursday, city commissioners voted in favor of adding Southern Poverty Law Center and Jenner & Block firm as outside counsel. The commission also voted to add other cities as plaintiffs.
On Wednesday, the City Commission amended its meeting’s consent agenda, which means a motion can pass without discussion. They added one controversial item: the approval of a multi-year event at Depot Park to celebrate one of Gainesville’s Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Tom Petty.
Members of the Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion committee presented data and recent initiatives on National Immigrants Day to improve immigrant relations in the city.
The City Commission discussed a new development plan, including a six-story building with 220 residential units, of which 10% would be affordable housing. As it stands now, the plan has room for retail, professional and restaurant services.
County Commissioners unveiled a historical marker engraved with information on lynchings that took place after the Reconstruction era. The project was created by the Alachua County Community Remembrance Project and the Equal Justice Initiative.
GRU’s average cost for electric, water and wastewater went up by 4% in October. The average cost for GRU’s electricity went up about $6, and the total bill rose almost $10. From 2023 to 2027, electrical rates will go up 3% and wastewater will go up 5% yearly, according to GRU.
Mayor Lauren Poe introduced a proclamation officially acknowledging Indigenous Peoples Day Monday at city hall. He also unveiled a new sign honoring indigenous people in front of city hall.
Cynthia Curry was appointed to the interim city manager position after city manager after Lee Feldman resigned Sept. 13, following the resignation of three other city charter officers, including City Commissioner Gail Johnson.
The City Commission will make the final decision this month on the construction of an affordable housing and student living apartment building with 151 housing units, 10% of which will be for affordable housing, according to a Friday city press release.
Gainesville’s City Commission voted Aug. 19 to appoint Folston as the city’s interim director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion. The office works to improve Gainesville and its businesses through promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, Folston said.
Atlanta-based law firm Griffin & Strong is conducting the disparity study in the city, CEO Rodney K. Strong said. The firm will determine if Gainesville is experiencing discrimination within its marketplace.
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