seats. We're missing these 2.
>> Good evening. I call to
order the 7/28/2026 meeting of
the full City Council. It is
05:00pm and
>> we do have a quorum.
Welcome to the first full
council meeting of the New
Council year. I will turn it
over to our new floor leader
who's not news very well
experience. And that's
councilmember Michael.
>> Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT,
thank you, too, for your
expression of confidence and
me to serve as the 4 later
again, I look forward to doing
my very best to move these
meetings forward in a timely
fashion. Our first order of
business is the invocation and
pledge. I would ask that you
please recognize council Milan
Inter introduce senior pastor
of Cats Creek Spike o You're
recognized, sir. Thank you,
MR. PRESIDENT floor leader.
It's my honor tonight to
welcome back. Pastor Spy
Kogan, the senior pastor of
Chats Creek Church.
>> Pastor Spike has been
familiar face and he is
retiring after nearly 30 years
as being the founding and
senior pastor Chats Creek
Church. I'll be brief on his
biography here because a few
minutes we will be presenting
with him with the resolution
honoring his service to our
city. So with that passers-by,
please.
>> All right. Thank you so
much for this day. Thank you
for these men and women who
represent our city so well. We
pray your blessings on them.
MAY they use your wisdom and
guidance and all they do. And
as they work things you bless
them and continue to bless us
to live in this wonderful city
Jacksonville, Florida. GOD,
thank you for this time
together and we thank you.
Love the opportunity. We have
to enjoy serving together and
most important of all. We
thank you for the life that we
have. You gave us. Ask all
these things in the name of
the one who saved me Jesus
Christ. Amen. Please join me
in the pledge. I pledge
allegiance to the flag.
>> This PRESIDENT, you have
any announcements or roll
call. Thank you, MR. Floor
earlier, I would just like to
note for everyone, the
audience that the addendum
will come up at the end of the
meeting and on that is the
veto override.
>> That I think a lot of
people are anticipating so
just know that comes at the
end of the meeting.
>> And roll call,
>> 17 present.
>> As PRESIDENT, it's now time
for the approval of the
minutes from the regular
council meeting of JUNE 23rd
2026. I move for approval.
>> We have a motion and second
on the minutes we'll take this
vote verbally on favor of the
minutes indicate by saying Aye
again saying no minutes past.
>> The stress we have quite a
number of communications for
the mayor's office and other
entities. Would you like those
red are filed with legislative
services? Let's find a place.
COUNCILMAN Landon has an
unscheduled presentation. He
would like to make it this
time. And as he heads to the
podium down below. It's my
pleasure to introduce today's
pages, Joshua Heart stock read
the stand and chain through
Sarah, not me. How'd I do? Can
All right. MR. Landing, you're
recognized. Thank you. I
believe MR. Till was going to
read the resolution.
Resolution 2026 to 72. Pastor
Spy Kogan is faithfully served
as the founding and senior
pastor of Chats Creek Church
in Jacksonville for over 2
decades, providing spiritual
leadership, guidance and
encouragement to Jacksonville
citizens. Under Pastor Hogans
leadership Chats Creek Church
founded in 1998. With its
first public service in Chats
Creek Elementary School has
expanded to 3 locations and
has grown into a vibrant and
committed faith community.
Born in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, Pastor Hogan earned
degrees from William Carey
University and Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary
and served at several other
churches and on the staff of
the Florida Baptist Convention
before joining the team that
launched Chats Creek Church.
Pastor Hogan services extends
beyond the church serving on
the board of directors of one
more child Florida Baptist
Children's Homes and
previously serving as a
trustee of the North American
Mission Board. And as a member
of the Florida governor's
faith-based and
community-based advisory
council. Pastor Hogan has on
multiple occasions lead the
opening prayer for the
Jacksonville City Council
meetings offering messages of
reflection, unity and
stewardship for councilmembers
and the citizens they serve.
Upon his retirement. The city
Council wishes to recognize
and honor Pastor Hogan for his
outstanding contributions and
service to his congregants as
the broader Jacksonville
community. Now, therefore. The
resolve by the council, the
city of Jacksonville. The city
council hereby honors and
commends Pastor Spike Hogan
for his distinguished service
is pastor of Chats Creek
Church. And for his many
contributions to the spiritual
and civic life of Jacksonville
and wishes him continued
health, happiness and
fulfillment in the years
ahead.
Thank you, colleagues
for putting this resolution
and pastor a spike. We
appreciate everything you've
done.
>> The church has been a
pillar in our community right
there in the heart of
district. 3. And then like the
resolution says just all the
work that have gone well
beyond just the church and
just all the great things
you've done for our community
for our city. So gonna MISS
Seeing you here. Once a year.
At least I think been a couple
times either you or another
pastor at a But church has
come here to help in prayer.
But I know the new pastor will
be here as well. We look
forward to meeting him. And
again, just thank you for
everything you've done here
for your church and the
citizens of Jacksonville son.
>> Just real quick. Thank you.
I'm honored and touched and be
proud of you guys on a regular
basis. Yes, a very important
decisions to make in the weeks
and months to come. I know
I've had the privilege of
knowing every mayor since John
Peyton it's been our privilege
to pray for them. And I'll
continue pray for you retire.
And I'm still in Jacksonville.
Anything I do to help a
service to you guys. Please
let me know. And MAY GOD bless
you and bless Jacksonville,
Florida. Thank you. The
Middle, MR. Vice PRESIDENT
Given council PRESIDENT Is
getting pictures will will
will go to the q after the
pictures taken because we do
have some council members. I'd
like to speak
>> All right. We have a few
members in the Councilmember
framing you're recognized.
Thank you, MISTER. Vice
PRESIDENT Vice PRESIDENT To
pass us by one. Thank you so
much for your service. More
importantly, thank you for
your friendship. Truly believe
in giving folks there Rose is
why they can still And in
DECEMBER of 2012, you probably
didn't notice at the time, but
I was sitting in your
congregation in the back in
the back Row Baptist
preacher's kid. And you
challenge your congregation to
read a book. And one of the
things that you said everyone
should a read this book. Only
about 80 pages, 80 by pages.
It was called the prayer of
Jabez. And I said, you know
what? He just said less than
100. I think I can get through
this book. And I did and I saw
my life change dramatically
from that day forward because
the first time that someone
ever told me that was ok for
me to pray for myself. That
was I was growing up rain, but
others. And so that prayer
bless me, indeed, enlarge my
territory. Keep your hand up
on me. Has radically done some
amazing things. So I want to
thank you for your leadership.
I want to thank you for all
those blessings that followed
that prayer. And just continue
to do what you do. Thank you
so Chair. Thank you, MR.
Freeman missed Pittman. You're
recognized. Karen to pastor.
First of all, I want to say
thank you for the work that
you've done for this
community. I met at the Clara
White Mission with is is
Stafford and one of the things
they always said you say go
outside of the church walls
and make a difference in the
community. And of course, as
the staff, it was one of our
counselors there and for
individuals will also could
not a prison. You help some of
those individuals and stop.
First of just say what matters
to you matters to this
community. And so just thank
you. And I hope when you grow
up, you notice that what you
really want to do because you
have done a lot in the journey
for this community and we
thank you so much. Thank you.
And that concludes all the
members in the queue. Pastor
Hogan, thank you so much for
all of your contributions to
the community will be sorely
missed a chance, but I'm sure
you'll country continue to
contribute greatly.
>> Jacksonville, thank you,
Thank you.
>> This PRESIDENT Are now
ready for Quay Zeit judicial
actions. I'd like to remind
everyone that these items were
not. We are now taking up, do
not include public hearings.
As these matters were
thoroughly reviewed at the
committee level where the
public hearings, we're part of
the decision-making process.
Council members are reminded
that to declare x any ex parte
communications. Our first time
is on Page 4, 2026 for 3 z 8,
a rezoning at 23.3 acres. Some
rld one. 22 pd. I moved the
bill.
>> We have a motion and second
on the bill. Seeing no
speakers in the queue. Let's
open the ballot. Of course,
you both.
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
3, 8, passes next item to
2026, 4, 3, 9. The bill. We
have a motion and second on
the bill. We have 2 speakers
in the queue will start with
MISTER Carlucci MR. All right.
Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I
just need to declare ex parte.
I met with Senator Moran, Rich
millennia, my office on JULY.
20th at 10:00am.
>> We discussed site plan
community involvement. The
paperwork in Fy would
legislative services. All
right. Thank you, MR. Vice
PRESIDENT Over to council in
it. Think PRESIDENT Recep
career just to the clerics
part spoke with Cindy Trimmer
on MAY 12 to get an
explanation of this. Bill Rep
refers filed, filed this with
legislative services.
>> Thank you, sir. No other
speakers in the queue. We do
have a motion and a second. On
the bill to open the ballot.
The court of it.
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> And by your vote, 2026, 0,
4, 3, 9, passes PRESIDENT.
We're now ready for the
consent agenda. I want to
remind my colleagues that if
you want to be added as a
co-sponsor to any of these
items, please let the chief of
legislative services know via
email as council rules
prohibit pulling items for
this particular reason MR.
Taylor, would you please read
the Bills 2026? 4.53 Or 96
5.15, by 16 and 5.51
PRESIDENT. I move the approval
of the consent agenda.
>> Very good. We have a motion
and second to approve the
consent agenda. Seeing no
speakers in the queue. Let's
open the ballot. The course
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, the consent
agenda passes. PRESIDENT
Colleagues that we have one
more item to be taken up
before moving to public
comment. It can be found on
page. 38 item number. 83
Twenty-twenty 6, 5, 9, 2. I
move the emergency. We have a
motion and second on the
emergency, no speakers in the
queue. Let's take a verbal
vote on the in favor indicate
by saying Aye, again saying
no, the emergency passes this
pres. We have no public
participation cards on this. I
moved the bill as an
emergency. We have a motion
and second on the bill as an
emergency, no speakers open
about a quarter of
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays by your
vote. 2026, 0, 5, 9, 2 is
approved. This PRESIDENT Would
suggest you recognize the
rules chair at this time we
recognize the rules chair, MR.
Gay.
>> Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT,
we have just approved the
following appointments as part
of the consent agenda. Plus
additional item we took up
tonight. If you are in the
please stand to be recognized.
Michelle Begley to the Chief
Accounting Division,
Department of Finance and
Administration of the City of
Jacksonville. Surely Dasher to
the Value Adjustment Board.
Please join me thanking them
for their service.
>> This PRESIDENT Has a per
ordinance 2022, 4, 7, 5, e we
are now ready for public
comments. Council members are
reminded this is our time to
hear from the public. And this
is not a time for questions or
answers or debate. However,
remember, the public MAY be
invited to Robert Johnson room
for further Councilmembers
subject to the rule of
PRESIDENT Presiding officer
the PRESIDENT. They extend
this invitation. Ladies and
gentleman. Hey, if you wish to
speak, you should have filled
out a green public comment
card. No cards will accepted
after 05:06pm, Council rules.
Call for an allotment of 90
minutes for public comment in
the event there is an excess
number of cards submitted a
lot of time of 3 minutes MAY
be shortened so that we're all
wishing to speak, have an
opportunity to do so.
PRESIDENT. We have 23 25
cards. We limit to not change
the limit right now. So it
will be 3 minutes per per
ticket per participant. During
our public comment time only
the speaker will be allowed to
the podium. Less physical
assistance is required provide
this opportunity for the
public comment. He on what the
state law requires as such.
You must state your name and
address before beginning your
common or just say my address
is on file, assuming you put
it on the cart. I will
announce 5 speakers at a time
in the order. They are to
appear. When I call your name.
I ask that you move down to
the front row.
>> As we preserve stands for
you, they're your time will
start when you arrive at the
podium. We thank you for being
here. This evening. And our
first 5 speakers are. Kim Fund
to jail. Roxy McLeod. White
Wyche. Angela 10 broeck Dana,
Brooke. And Valerie Hermann
come on down to the front and
while they're coming forward,
I would ask MR. Deal to read
through counsel rule 4.5, 0,
5, As a rule. 4.5, 0, 5,
disruption of meeting. Any
person who disrupts the
regular meeting of the City
Council standing committees
special or select committees,
subcommittees or any other
public meeting presided over
by a city council member maybe
forthwith barred, removed or
otherwise ejected in the
discretion of the presiding
officer from further
attendance at that meeting. If
necessary, due to the nature
of the disruption. The
audience MAY be cleared from
the council chambers or
meeting location in the
discretion of the presiding
officer. Any person who
refuses to leave the City
Council chamber MAY be subject
to arrest. To please not the
start. Time is 5.17 Once
again. Our first speaker is
Kim kill that. I got it right
that time. I hope you did
fontecchio. Yes, sir. Again,
these pressure to provide your
name and address in our note
that it's on fire.
>> Good Evening. City Council,
PRESIDENT And council members.
My name is Kimberly
Fontecchio. I'm the property
owner and sole resident of 2,
7, 2, 9, dilan a good drive in
district 2. I'm here tonight
to stand in solidarity with
Nathan and our local urban
agricultural coalition to urge
this council to pass the right
to garden at. This matter is
deeply personal to me because
on JULY 13th that this year,
the city of Jacksonville
officially executed an
approved my formal certificate
of use for fun Taquitos
community Garden. Despite
being fully permitted unlawful
and Uppal standards, operators
like myself continue to face
targeted harassment and the
U.S. Enforcement of selective
covenants and unwarranted
interference from H.O.A. Is
trying to dictate their
interpretation of city zoning
laws. Food independence,
agricultural wellness and
gathering together in peaceful
community connection are basic
human rights. This council has
a historic opportunity tonight
to protect its own permitted
land. Use defendant's
residence and solidify our
city's future. We ask that you
past the home occupation Bill
tonight and in the coming days
come it to sponsor the free to
garden at so we can move it
forward for filing an
introduction. Thank you. Can
contact you.
>> Thank you, ma'am. Next we
have Roxanne, clout. It's
always so exciting to stand
here in front you. My name is
Roxy McLeod and I very proudly
live in District 10 at 8, 0,
2, 9 Buffalo Avenue. And I am
here to first of all I forgot
to do. Last time I talked to
you, I'll be wearing this hat
when you come to cs. At the
community Garden in Panama
Park. It's right. I mean, it's
like between here. It's just
before you get to the zoo. You
don't have to drive far. Just
come and see the garden. You
will love it. You will be
allowed to pick some tomatoes.
Ca some peppers. Okay. So
please come to see our garden
in Panama Park. It's called
common ground where we grow
together. And I'll tell you a
little story just this
morning. I was in the garden
where I love to be and across
fence. One of the little
neighbor, she's 5 years old
and she's going okay,
kindergarten, can I a gun? She
loves to come the garden.
Well, I was just about to
leave.
>> broker Hardin said no, not
today. Tomorrow. Tomorrow you
can come to the garden
tomorrow.
>> That the garden is so much
more than all the perfect
things that Kim just said. I'm
not going to repeat it. I'm
here to support that act for
freedom to garden. Please,
please. I'm asking you to
support it, too. In all the
things that she said. But I'm
just telling you that it's not
just for Food, Inc and
stability, and it grows
neighborhoods. It grows
community. The people that
come into that garden and work
side by side are weeding
side-by-side. They're telling
stories things they had. They
didn't even remember from way
back when they were sharing
recipes with each other. The
beauty and the strength that
it creates in a neighborhood
in a community cannot be
emphasized enough. I cannot
tell you how beautiful it is
to see so many people of all
ages from that five-year-old
all the way to the old people.
They can just barely get
there. They love to share
their wisdom. So anyway,
community gardens are the way
to go. So please, please,
please support this act. And
that's enough. But I want to
see you and you know where I'm
at. So come to the garden.
Only one of you have come here
to the garden so far.
>> Thank you, ma'am. Next we
have heard junior. I hope I
pronounced that correctly. Are
you doing? My name is heard as
whites.
>> Her address my address is
stated on. Thank you.
>> Hi, guys. Only to arc.
>> About the
>> I'm here today to support
the free to Garnett because I
have seen firsthand how
community gardens improve
public health, strengthen
neighborhoods, great education
opportunities for you and
increase access to fresh
healthy food. Every week I
work alongside families,
volunteers and community
members who are learning to
grow their own food community
gardens are more than places
to grow vegetables with their
outdoor classroom spaces for
healing workforce development
and community connection.
Unfortunately, organizations
dedicated to serving their
communities have often face
unnecessary barriers to
establishing and operating
gardens, making community and
market garden. Clearly
permissible will help schools,
nonprofits, neighborhoods and
Faith based organization is
focused on serving people
rather than navigating
uncertainty. We respectfully
ask that you pass the home
occupation Bill tonight and
the coming days committed to
sponsoring the free to guard
Nate so we can move forward
and for filing introduction.
Thank you for your time. Your
service.
>> Thank u next. We have
Angela 10, Brooke. Good
Evening Council. PRESIDENT
Members of the City Council.
My name is Angela Time,
Brooke. And I reside at 49
story court. I'm the executive
director for the Center for
Sustainable Agricultural
Excellence and Conservation. I
was honored to serve as the
city of Jacksonville's first
and ultimately last manager of
ag Urban ag, Agriculture,
Fisheries and land use policy.
A role created to strengthen
our local food system and
improve food, security. And
Jacksonville's residents. That
position was created because
many in Jacksonville recognize
that food security is not
simply an agricultural issues.
It's an economic issue. Health
issues and environmental issue
and a community resilience
issue. Our goal was straight
forward to put more locally
grown food and our
neighborhoods support our
farmers, ranchers, Waterman
and ally producer businesses
to create educational
opportunities, conserve water
and strengthen local food
systems. Although that
position was eliminated, the
mission did not end since
leaving the city. I have
continue this work around the
world, helping communities and
multiple continents develop
sustainable food systems that
conserve water, create jobs,
improve nutrition, increase,
food security. Everywhere I
go. I see governments.
Governments investing in
policies that make it easier,
not harder for people to grow
food. That is why I stand here
today before you to support
the free to Garden Act. This
legislation is about
empowering residents. It gives
families the opportunity to
grow healthy food, teach
children were food and their
food comes from strengthen
neighborhoods and become more
resilient during times of
economic uncertainty and
supply chain disruptions.
Jacksonville has an
opportunity. We should be
developing legislation that
encourages food production,
remove unnecessary barriers
and supports homeowners
schools. Community gardens,
nonprofits and local farmers
alike. Food security cannot
rely solely on grocery stores
and food banks. It begins in
our own backyards schools,
churches and neighborhoods.
Every garden represents a
healthier family, stronger
communities and reduce
environmental impacts and
greater local resilience.
Let's make Jacksonville don't
for the food. We empower our
citizens to grow. I
respectfully ask you support
the free to Garden Act so that
we can continue to build a
city where every resident has
the opportunity to grow share
access, fresh, healthy food.
Thank you for your time. Your
service to our community and
your support of the free to
Garden Act. Thank you, Next,
we have the Valerie Hermann.
In the meantime, I want fight
the phone to please come to
the front. Kathleen Pereira,
Marion Corny. Chaplin. Jerry,
Michelle Wilson. And Nathan
Valentine. Please come on down
to the front.
>> Go ahead. MISS Herman. Good
evening. My name is Valerie
Hermann.
>> And executive director of
first Coast Urban ag. We
create agriculturally immerse
that play spaces for children
and families in the urban
core. My address is on file.
Thank you. Friends, neighbors
and members of the council. It
was never about a hot dog and
a coke. And today it's not
about a tomato or a green
bean. In the 1960's opponents
framed lunch counters as a
threat to public order and
neighborhood character. A
threat to public order and
neighborhood character.
Absurd. And yet sounds eerily
familiar. Then as now it was
just about food. It is about
human dignity. It is about
equal citizenship. It is about
healthy food, sovereignty. And
it is about our fundamental
right to gather in public
space. Because democracy is
not born in City Hall. It has
created in the daily
unscripted conversations which
usually happen over food.
Whether at a lunch counter or
across a garden bed. If the
city fears its own neighbors
growing food. It is a city
losing touch with its own
people. When garden spaces are
restricted by a generous
amount of red tape. It does
not create just a food desert.
But a Democratic desert as
well. I think we can all agree
our civic fabric needs
tending. And the best place to
do it is over lunch. Wouldn't
you agree? Please come it to
sponsor the Free to Garden Act
so we can forward for filing
an introduction.
>> Thank u next. We have
Kathleen per.
>> My name is Kathleen. Per my
information is on file.
Congratulations to the new
leadership of the council and
special thanks to PRESIDENT
How and for strengthening the
partnership with the 6th see
packs together, we will
continue to build a better
city. By the way. Did you know
that you have an allotted
amount of time to enjoy your
peace and quiet and privacy of
your home before development
has the right to barge in and
destroy it. All. That is the
impression I got from Sporting
Jax after my fox Chase
neighborhoods. Recent meeting
with U.S. Representatives.
Apparently our neighborhoods,
privacy in peace quota is 37
years. And so we should just
accept the development. That
will be a crouching upon us.
And then I guess we shouldn't
feel sorry for the Windy Hill
neighborhood. If their septic
tanks and well, water gets get
contaminated by this
development says their peace
quota expired 40 years before
our neighbors neighborhoods.
And the soccer stadium. Folks
think that roughly one-half
mile buffer between our
neighborhood in a stadium for
15,000 people is enough to
dampen a loud concert branches
soccer game one. If you an app
had allowed concert tonight,
we could hear it even with a
mile Buffer mile buffer. And
that doesn't include the extra
15,000 cars that will grid
lot, the current congestion in
Saint Johns Town center. The
best scenario is to have
sporting Jax partner with ata
and building share the soccer
stadium. Rd zoned to be built
in sporting complex downtown
Jacksonville does not need to
major soccer stadium venues.
Finally, please support 2026,
0, 5, 7, o which is being
introduced tonight. For about
the e-bikes and please adopt a
resolution to declare
charlie dent day for OCTOBER
14th. And I think the right to
grow is a pretty good idea to
thank you.
>> Thank u next. We have Mary
Courtney.
>> Good evening. My name is
Mary in Kearney. My address is
on file. And this is my second
time to speak in front of you.
So please, if I sound nervous,
I am. But I would like to talk
to you about that. Irreparable
environmental damage of having
40 Jax Soccer stadium and
development in Big Island's
warm. Construction and paving
increase to run off into the
public face in elevation.
Local neighborhood flood risk
and threatening natural water
filtration buffers. Also
removing the tree canopy,
reduces the water absorption
after drainage and causes
flooding. To mention the
environmental impact of
destroying the nesting sites.
Food source is in protective
cover for native birds and
amphibians and mammals.
According to recent newspaper,
articles are Saint Johns River
is already experiencing
massive amounts of pollution
and algae blooms. This going
to so construction in the
runoff and the fact that
they're going to have to raise
the water table. To that
property decent. It is a
swamp. Will cause more
problems for Saint Johns
River. So I'm taking you. To
remember this when it comes
time to vote and say vote no.
For this Tucker Stadium and
development.
>> Thank u next. We have
chaplain Jerry with
>> Good evening, chaplain.
Jerry, address on file? I want
to PRESIDENT How and Vice
PRESIDENT Carlucci for taking
over leadership. I know really
want to make this a
conservative. Budget that's
coming up. Because we're all
taxpayer dollars. We have to
watch our budgets. But
tonight, I want to stand with
John Labor real and the
Christian Family Coalition
group. I'm asking the City
Council to honor Charlie Kirk.
This man is widely known to
inspire our youth on our
college campuses all around
the country. Charlie has
debated and how many events
right here in Jacksonville.
This young man, news debate to
educate and what the students
find the truth and that a
happy and blessed life. He
modeled his Christian my by
marrying the love of his life
and becoming a dad to his
children. He debated so people
would understand that the
unborn or a blessing and not a
curse. And that children are
to be loved and raised by a
mom and dad. He's believe came
from the Bible. He wanted
other young people to have joy
and peace that he had found.
He was always respectful and
news truth and logic to be his
sword in his cultural battle.
He even tried to wake up our
churches to the Islamic
threat. He was a watchman on
the wall and he was Eva Lee
brutally mass estimated. So I
would like to see OCTOBER 14th
this Charlie Kirk Remembrance
Day with his books displayed
OCTOBER 12 to the 17th in our
libraries. So children can
learn and read from his books.
I feel that this council needs
to stand with the citizens and
homeowners and not allow a
soccer stadium right next to 2
neighborhoods. The sound, the
traffic, the lights, put it
somewhere else where there's
lots of room where everybody
can enjoy it. We have our see
packs that are not being
listened to such as the
Chick-Fil-a that was built to
spite neighbor saying it would
make it dangerous to leave
their neighborhood. And now
many of my friends are dealing
with those issues. It has not
been that long ago that we
were finding an Islamic
slaughterhouse. We stopped it.
But now there might be a
mosque. So please research and
listen before approving all
these cuties and over
developments in our city.
Please remember that the
citizens voted for you respect
and listen to them. I support
the Free Garden Act. People
should be allowed to grow a
garden blast and have a great
night. Michelle Wilson is
next.
>> Good evening. My name is
Michelle Wilson and my
addresses on file. Since
JANUARY. The 12th we have had
a business that has moved into
the residential neighborhood
of Panama Terrace. I have made
23 my Jax reports to report a
noise nuisance not having a
fence around their swimming
pool invasion of my privacy
when they removed brush
building on the property line
have been an illegal business
and a food truck and now
dumping pull water in my
backyard. Last Friday, a city
employee actually came out and
did a reading found out that
they were in violation of the
noise ordinance. I've made 4
calls to alcohol, tobacco,
firearms. I've been to to ask
a lawyer events where I was
told that maybe I might try
the media investigative
reporter Anthony Austin came
out and did a report and now
I'm on an hbo documentary
about neighbors I've made. 24
caused the for illegal
parking. Almost got hit twice
by wrong-way drivers going
northbound in the southbound
lane North Pearl Street as
well as not being able to see
a left turn to turn on my own
street. No, I've been told
that no one has a decibel
reader. None of the jso and
then jso even told me by my
own decibel reader. And then I
was told that it was up to jso
whether they get a citation or
not. So city council can save
money if the city is the one
buying citations because
they're not reading them. I
was informed that there's one
lieutenant district, that has
been trained. But no one seems
to know who that is or when
they work. 7 months ago, a
news for Jax Officer Christian
Hancock showed a decibel
reader and said what the
citizen should do. There's
even a fire on the city's
website of what to do when you
have noise, nuisance,
neighbors. I've made 2 calls
to my beloved COUNCILWOMAN I
love seeing your face. Photo
ops ribbon cutting in awards.
But we need your help over in
Panama Terrace. We have been
terrorized by city bricks at
68. 43 North Pearl Street
since JANUARY. And they're not
registered as a business.
Anderson Biz. I don't know
what else to do when I go in
my backyard because I believe
in the free to Garden act, I'm
trying to get edible
schoolyard for individuals and
special needs. But I can't go
in my backyard. The music is
just that loud. They think
they see me and they yell
after Michelle across the
fence, the neighbors, if we
call to get the noise turned
out. And one night when I was
working and I wasn't even
there, threatened my house up,
which makes my daughter not
want to go to sleep at night.
So I'm asking for some kind of
help. I'm going to be writing
to the mayor and a jso, but we
need some help. And from what
I'm getting from sheriffs,
they say, well, it is
Jacksonville. Thank you,
ma'am. Next we have a Nathan
Valentina.
>> In the meantime, I'd invite
the others to come forward is
to come forward with Thompson,
James Weston, that he signed
ERs Lazaro Salinas and Laura
McKeithen. We're going to
limit after MISTER Valentine.
We're gonna limit to 2 and a
half and it's going forward
pick up some additional cards.
Go ahead, sir. And MR. Would
like to talk to Ms Wilson in
the Robert Johnson rooms of
Wilson, if you're still. Go
ahead, sir. Good evening.
Council PRESIDENT Council
members. It's going to be
here. My name is Nathan
Valentine. Overall farm grows
at one. 25 the 7th Street. I'm
here to advocate for the Free
to Garden Act, which will make
market in community gardens
permissible by Wright in
Jacksonville. There is
extensive legal precedent. And
best practices to drop on. Had
been drawn up on in the
drafting of our proposed
legislation. Did you know that
all of the following cities
have defined and made legally
permissible market and or
community gardens.
>> By law. Tampa. Saint Pete.
Fort Lauderdale. West Palm
Beach. Gainesville Lake, Lynn
and Titusville, Florida.
Atlanta, savanna Athens, Clark
County in Decatur, Georgia,
Birmingham and Mobile,
Alabama, Nashville and
Chattanooga, Tennessee,
Louisville, Kentucky, Raleigh,
Charlotte, Winston-Salem and
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Columbia, South Carolina.
Norfolk. Chesapeake and
Richmond, Virginia. Houston,
and Dallas. Not to mention
Kansas City, Baltimore,
Cincinnati in Pittsburgh. I
could go on for a long time.
Meanwhile, though, our own
comp plan says that the city
of Jacksonville, quote, Shall
encourage community gardens.
There are no zoning
definitions or permissions to
get that dictate lakes. It is
time we updated our zoning
code with the free to Garden
Act. We're not asking for the
world here. We're merely
asking for the legal
permission to grow food with
and for our neighbors. We
request that you pass the home
occupation bill with all
deliberate speed and then in
the coming days commit to
sponsor the Free to Garden
Act. Thank you so much. Thank
you, sir. Next we have are
with Thompson.
>> Good evening. My name is
Ruth Thompson. And my
information is on file. I rely
on the laws of the Florida
Agriculture Department for my
business, which is be great
periods. It allows be keeping
in the urban area. And I would
like to see Jacksonville
passes. Same urban
agricultural rules for the
free to Garden Act, allowing
people to farm and there are
urban area. One of the most
direct economic benefits urban
farming is the stimulation of
local economies through the
farmers markets. That's where
my daughter and I who are
partners in our business and
beekeeping do. Most of our
work is in the farmers.
Markets. These markets create
a platform for urban farmers
to sell their produce directly
to consumers. Fostering a
direct economic link between
the producer and the
community. This is what people
the citizens of Jacksonville
want they want local produce
local food to be able to
purchase and they want to buy
it from the producer. This
supports local agriculture and
encourages the growth of other
small businesses such as food
vendors, artisans and
craftspeople. Creating a
vibrant economy. And most of
the farmers markets, there are
not enough farmers, you know,
has it. The farm at the market
manager is always looking for
producers of agriculture. But
there are so limited. And one
of the things that I really
love about urban farming and
beekeeping is that it has a
relatively low entry level to
the agricultural journey. I
started our business with one
beehive. We now have 100.
People come to the farmers
market and they say I want to
visit your farm because what
do they think? Agriculture is
way out in the country. And I
say, well, my farm is in 25
people's yards throughout
Jacksonville, from the
beaches, Southside Deerwood
San marco Riverside, Murray
Hill, the Westside
Springfield. So I say maybe we
could spend that. You have to
ask the owner if you can come
to the yard. But this is what
the future of agriculture
should be, that there's farms
throughout the whole city and
especially now I just ask you
to pass free to Garden Act.
Thank you,
>> Thanks. Thanks James
Weston. Good evening. My name
is James Weston addresses on
file. If you've been following
the recent news about the
parasite outbreak causing
explosive diarrhea, you
probably been paying a little
extra attention to where your
food comes from. I know I
have. That's one of the
reasons I'm here tonight and
supported the free to Garden
Act. We should be making it
easier instead of harder to
grow fresh, local food for
Jacksonville. Over the years,
I've help people grow food in
our community. And I've seen
the demand firsthand.
Community gardens have waiting
list. Families want access to
fresh local food and neighbors
are ready to turn vacant lots
into places with the people
instead of sitting unused.
Growing food should mean
finding red tape for years.
This is practical neighborhood
friendly legislation that
expands access to fresh food
and helps build a very
resilient Jacksonville.
Respectfully ask for your
support for the Free to Garden
Act. Thank you for your time
and your service to the
community. Thank you, sir.
Next we have. But it's Anders.
>> Hello, my name is Betty
Saunders and I live in the
Linley Aggro Park neighborhood
in my addresses on file. I'm
here tonight to support and
encourage the consideration.
Passage and sponsorship of the
free to Garnet. Which would
allow. Community a market
gardens permissible by Wright
in Jacksonville. I want to add
to what Nathan earlier because
I just recently came back from
visiting family in Detroit and
they also have a free to
garden after equivalent and
they have a lot of community
gardens Perry's there.
Community gardens provide
fresh, healthy food to our
families and neighbors who
need it. Most. They encourage
physical activity, education,
they strengthen family bonds
and they enrich the social
fabric of our neighborhoods.
When I learned about the
challenges that Nathan and
overalls farm and other.
Similar things, similar farms
encountered. I was actually
shocked and disappointed that
organizations dedicated to
feeding our communities are
forced to navigate costly
administrative hurdles in
order to operate. The current
statute does protect the right
to grow food for personal
consumption, but does not
address. Gardens. Sale of
those things. The Free to
Garden Act addresses this gap
by creating a reasonable
framework for nonprofit
community gardens and local
market gardens and include
sensible standards for daytime
operating hours, noise,
lighting and safe composting
practices so that these urban
gardens coexist in the current
neighborhoods. In my view,
requiring our Ben Gardner to
obtain a planned unit
development at a cost of
$5,000 to apply unnecessary
and prohibitive barrier.
Currently overalls farm
provides fresh food to about
120 families through its
subscription Mention how many
more families could benefit if
these unnecessary barriers
were removed. Rather than
making it harder for community
gardens to succeed, we should
be creating opportunities for
them to grow and state served
even more residents. I believe
the proposal also aligns with
the goals of the city's
developing state of the food
plan, which seeks to
strengthen our local food
system and improve for food
security throughout
Jacksonville. These gardens
teach useful life skills and
could even encourage younger
children. 2. Go to
Environmental Services. Thank
you for your time. Thank you,
ma'am.
>> Next they have. Those
Salinas. Good Evening City
Council. My name is Sarah
Salinas with the Jack. Some of
the U.S. A chapter, my
addresses on file. I'm here
tonight to speak on the Free
to Garden Act, which aims to
make community gardens
permissible by-right in
Jacksonville. I have many
friends and family and my
communities that lack access
to affordable groceries, the
prevalence of food deserts and
the lack of accessible transit
creates hard barriers for the
disabled elderly and
overworked, the ability to
create a growing space in our
neighborhoods to feed
ourselves. And our neighbors
alleviates the stress and
financial burden of traveling
to a grocery for basic foods.
Doubles fruits and herbs. Our
organization spent 11 months
waiting on documentation that
allowed us to grow food in a
location. We already have
permission to grow from the
property manager. Now the
garden produces peppers,
tomatoes, beans, various herbs
and sunflowers for the
neighborhood. Residents even
enjoy. As the price of basic
groceries rises and financial
burdens MAY cause less able to
satisfy our own needs.
Community led Garden would
materially improve our
independence sustainability
and health. This is a
neighborhood friendly common
sense legislation that builds
upon regional state and local
policy foundation's. And I
urge you to consider the free
to Garden Act. As a step in
the right direction to improve
the lives of our communities
in the city. I would also like
to oppose any honoring of
Charlie Kirk as he was a
hateful bigot who weaponized
people's fear and ignorance to
normalize oppression of
minorities all over this
country. Thank Thank u next.
We have Laura Heath. It.
>> In the meantime, moment of
I the phone to come come down
to the front, please Duchy
Stevens ms s Charlie Smith.
Samantha Series, Dennis got
and Laura Murray permit you to
please come down to the front
and appreciate it. Speaking
that.
>> Hi, my name is Laura
McKeithen and my addresses on
file. I live in Springfield. I
support the Garden Act for so
many reasons. Most
importantly, it makes sense
for communities, especially in
times of economic challenge. I
am so lucky to live where a
neighbor Nathan. Tim's nearby
Gardens daily. I pick fresh
vegetables, spices, even
flowers on a daily basis
throughout the year. I do not
rely on driving to a grocery
store seriously. I almost
never go to the grocery store.
There is always something in
season in Jacksonville. We are
so lucky. With support of
officials like you tended
community gardens like ours
will become the model for
other cities seeking to better
the welfare of their season.
Their citizens. In fun,
healthy and engaging ways
regardless of the ups and
downs of the economy. I
appreciate your support for
this. And like last before me.
I am not in favor of Charlie
Kirk Act being associated with
the city. Thank you.
>> This but you Stevens.
>> Good evening Stevens, the
addresses on file. Hearing all
come in and talking about
these guns and stuff. But you
get to Munich contaminated
e-cigarette. We did used all
this led to still coming with
poison. Used to. I would
Garner to y'all get on public
works about getting on a jaw
digging in cleaning that these
ditches and then cut and they
were 3 months. It just seems
everything is we have. Voted
with the Democratic mayor.
We've seen too much from going
on with the city. By the way,
cheese not being moment in
could according to the federal
Law of Environmental
Protection. So if your
environment and grousing safe,
then a front loader in GOD.
Kind of give them contaminated
food poisoning. Because these
ditches a spanking up the
community. And I'm telling
you. And I have sent accounts
of, you know, and not
district. She got moved
contaminated ditches in
district. Tina thing network
is that we'll see that nasa
put the words in moment and
couldn't. They're not doing
their job. Maintaining the
city government grounds. And
when you say enough is enough,
we MAY have the bar PRESIDENT
Donald Trump. To get the
federal lawsuit for public
issues and federal government
bonds, but that grounds and
not safe right could you get
too many contaminated c d
right away. Ditches due out at
and we got to get the ball
rolling. I know they don't use
the prison inmates Nomo
because a lot of them used to
run off and try the skate some
years ago when John was at
sheriff. So they came bar to
prison inmates Nomo to help
public words. You know, the
mowing could indeed in coming
out to do just They did have
some that did try to skate
some years ago. And that's why
the king use know Monet was
coming from the people not to
do. So. I don't know what but
de just And I think we're
gonna have to get PRESIDENT
Donald Trump in Vol. Because
vote more Republican Democrat.
But it just seems like we're
not getting that. We don't see
the city maintain a grounds in
a moment and cooked. I think
we need a bad job. Pettis
back. We need to find a decent
meal that qualified for the
position, not a female. Thank
you.
>> Thank Next we is s Charlie
Smith.
>> Great Day City Council and
thank you for your service.
I'm is as strong Smith. My
address is on record and I'm
in District 13. I over also
support the for Garden Act.
The goal I'm here tonight to
support and encourage if got
which I which will take will
make the community and market
permissible by rights in
Jacksonville, 4, the
consideration of global supply
lines are disrupted. Food
prices are on the rise and
that the community. The local
community and market gardeners
who are well a position to
help insulate us from these
problems are starting from
growing groceries in
Jacksonville. To put a
personal spin on it. I am a
combat veteran that has served
myself. I if it wasn't for the
fellow guard partners that I
had in the past one half
years, I suffered a fire 2 and
half years ago. If I did not
have that support, I would not
be would be in front of you
today to ask for the
commission to push it forward
as fellow veterans that also
service in the community, a
plant club operator at our
around Academy. I help the
children learn how to grow
their own fruit at the
elementary students that are
there. I will take up too much
for you time. It is important
for us to be able to grow
food. If I'm not able to be at
the school, these young
people, they don't have the
access to learn. New skill
set. You don't have access to
know where their food comes
from. You know, have the
access to have extra food to
come into there, economic
functioning in their
household, which their parents
did not know they could do
until they were able to sit
with me at the school. So if
you could please do your Kylie
and respectfully, I consider
Co sponsoring the free to
garnet so that we and also
passed the whole iq Patient id
great. They're very grateful.
Thank you for your service.
Have a great day.
>> Thank you, Thank you for
your service. Next we have
Samantha Series.
>> Samantha Series address on
file. I'm here to talk to you
today about over development.
I understand that Jacksonville
is a growing city. I just
think that we could do a
little bit more responsible
development where take
abandoned buildings and the
lot and use those as places
that could you have mixed use
housing you know, maybe the
community gardens can be part
of it, too.
>> It would be a great time to
have some walkable areas.
Doesn't have to be all of
Jacksonville. Of course. But I
think it's important that we
start honing in on our
developers to, you know, maybe
encourage them to go towards
places that are already torn
down already. Dilapidated, you
know, and because I know the
development is continuing. It
obviously we cannot stop
growing. We need to keep
growing. I think it's
important that maybe Jay
starts looking into Solomons
Ation because we're running
out of water. Yes, our prefer
is being over, drained
constantly because of us in
Florida and 90% of
Jacksonville gets their water
from the Florida aquifer.
That's right. And because we
have over Del developed so
much, we get a lot of runoff.
That runoff goes into our
water into our streams into
our rivers and it does not get
to be so 3rd through the
ground because we have
developed it. So now we have
contaminated water. That's
great. So I think maybe
Jamie's looking sell it as a
shunt because that's where
we're headed. I also think
that jta should.
>> Pressure some companies to
take the very hot parking lots
that are dead Heat zone
really.
>> And make them partially
covered with solar panels that
would help with the community
cost of energy and south
continually making our prices
go up. I do understand they
have some projects to cover
with the gas plant that they
need to build and everything
like that. But maybe we could
start encouraging these larger
come. Need to have these huge
empty lots that are just dead
space, their heat. So as you
know, do you like getting
burned when you go into your
car? Don't really enjoy that.
So it doesn't have to be the
whole parking area, you know,
just a partial one. Then it's
back and save our community
money. You know, it's all
about saving money. And, you
know, this property tax might
be coming up where we lose a
property taxes. When you start
looking into other ways that
we can generate money, Havre
energy cheaper for our
communities and just, you
know, as always try to stop
that Overdevelopment. Thank
you.
>> Thank u next. And he's got
these.
>> Good evening. My name is
Denise Scott. My addresses on
file. We hope you all enjoy
time off and we hope you back
and let take care of business
for the people. But this being
the first meeting and I know
council PRESIDENT The Holland,
how come asking that you
please restore public comments
back to 3 minutes. We have
council meetings twice a month
is this time your constituents
to have public access to this
body. When you give you
instructions before comments
used always say that this is
the time to hear from the
public. We want you to hear
from us and we want 3 minutes
back. I don't know why. And I
don't know why it stopped when
it stopped, but we will not be
minutes back. Please, as for
this comment on council, as
you begin to have discussions,
consent of the mayor's
proposed budget. I'm asking
that this council, please try
think about the citizens of
this county and not just
special special interest
groups. I'm not Joe your own
selves since this mayor has
been in office. The majority
of this male dominated
Republican Council has fought
her on every time. Not many
times that you tried to come
together for the sake of the
people. Asking that you please
stop being so selfish, so
petty and put the people's
needs first for a change. When
you start discussing the
budget, please remember with
the bulk of this money goes,
we all understand that we need
to have public safety as a
priority. But at what cost? I
know that this is not a
popular opinion, but it needs
to be said, I'm grateful for
the good offices that Beaumont
City City streets. But until
this council weighs in our
share offices teach them how
to have de-escalation training
instead of training and
Defense forces. This always
going to have to settle with
victims with their lawsuits.
Maybe just maybe if you let
the sheriff know that any
lawsuits, though, the come
from his budget their
pensions. And I'm not sure
what's going on with this one
on the on the Charlie Kirk. No
disrespect to anyone that
believes the mess. He said.
But I thought we were
finishing on here in his name.
The majority of the folks in
that went on in and what this
so much hate and
misinformation. Jacksonville
doesn't need to on another
races. And what's the premise?
>> Thanks to we have Larry
Demery Herman. In the
meantime, I would like to
fight the following to come
forward and I forgive me on
this. I believe it's and that.
>> Arman. Jennifer Joyner.
Ronnie Burris. Addison
Liberty, Patrick. And direct
gregan on boy, I'm sorry,
Dragon boy. Go ahead. Miss
him.
>> Good evening, PRESIDENT.
Honorable councilmembers. My
name is learn. Every Herman,
I'm English teacher in the
District. My addresses on
file. I'm here today to speak
in support of the free
kayaking act I would like to
ask you to date to think of
this act in terms of
communities in terms of
building community in terms of
communities putting prevention
to work. In particular,
putting prevention to work in
the form of food security.
Which is more urgent than ever
from 2010 to 2 1012, I had the
opportunity to observe the
community's putting prevention
to work rent in action on the
island of Maui. Hawaii. As a
result of that grant over 32
gardens were planted across
the island which not only
resulted in food security,
obesity dropped by 30% tobacco
usage by 40%. The availability
of healthy food for the
community increase by almost
70%. These are big numbers I
believe that this type of
positive change can happen
here. That putting prevention
to work. To building community
with the passage of the home
occupation Bill. Tonight in
the sponsorship for Garden Act
in the upcoming Sessions.
Thank you for your time. Thank
you. And please help me with
your last name.
>> So my name and address on
file and Annette Man on. Thank
you. All right. I'm a local
community organizer and I'm a
teacher and I support the Free
to Garden Act which makes
community a market gardens
permissible by right? A
teacher at Jean Ribault High
and I've seen firsthand the
benefit that gardening has on
our news. I was teaching one
day and there's something
going on in the back of my
class trying to teach. Boy,
one student raises his hand
wanting water, tears streaming
down his face. They're all
laughing. Has been anointed
for some time Rose what they
had. A group of teenage boys
had a hot pepper. They had
grown from the garden and I
went back there and I started
talking to them and the way
they lit up when they tell me
about how they grown it and
they were showing it to me,
like with so much pride. And,
you know, these boys are
usually life, you know, always
cause me trouble and whatnot.
But it's not so much more than
the food, especially for our
vulnerable youth in
Jacksonville. And I want for
all of the use of Jacksonville
to be able to experience that
joy. Only that, if you bring
that joy, you bring votes
because me and people with my
mindset, remember things like
this and we tend to be the
types of people that care and
off to vote and encourage
others to vote or even run for
office or sounds out in the
community. A lot. And I
promise this issue is of great
concern between groups who
otherwise MAY have nothing
else in common as I'm sure,
you know, its name. I'm not
gonna take up too much of your
time. As you guys heard this a
million times, but just
observe the walks of life that
people are coming from and why
they support this bill. It's a
it's. Pretty popular. All
right. So we ask you to
occupation Bill tonight and in
the coming days come in to
sponsor the for Garden next
week. A move forward for
filing an introduction. Thank
you so much.
>> Thank u Jennifer Joyner.
>> Council, my name is
Jennifer Joyner. I live in San
Suu seat. My addresses on file
and a member of the southeast.
Cpac. With the next fiscal
year's budget could in the
works on here tonight to speak
on the topic of animal welfare
in Jacksonville and
specifically regarding funds
to cover spay and neuter
surgeries we pray to GOD
before each of our city
council meetings. We are here
to be good stewards of GOD's
creatures. And while city has
tape taken steps in the right
direction, we still have a
long way to go. Animal welfare
is hot on Floridians radar
right now. Governor DeSantis
has signed into effect several
notable animal welfare laws
over the last couple of years.
More people are acknowledging
that we need to take better
care of all creatures, big and
small. If we want to be a
better society overall, one
major way we can impact this
is through trap neuter return
programs also known as t a r
Jacksonville has an extensive
population of community cats
without human intervention.
Their fate is not always a
good one. Tnr is the humane
answer for control the
population while helping the
community cats that are
already here control in this
population frees up resources
for already overwhelmed
shelters and rescues in our
city so they can help more
dogs and cats in need. The
city of Jacksonville has not
significantly increased
funding for spay neuter
programs like Duval Catholics
and many years despite rising
demand and increasing costs
associated with providing
these services as a result,
volunteer trappers must now
pay a fee for teen our
procedures. This will greatly
reduce the number of cats
brought in to be fixed. The
chief of the cps has stated
that our city shelters working
hard to achieve no kill status
again. So to that end, we need
more funding for spay neuter
surgeries Jennifer Barker, the
ceo of every pet, a reasonable
request for additional trap.
Neuter return funding would be
in the range of a 10250,000.
Tnr programs such as Duval
Catholics continue to
demonstrate tremendous
community need with available
funding, often being
exhausted. Quickly and
increased investment from the
city would allow more cats to
be sterilized. Reduced burden
on shelter intake, improve
community, cat health and
quality of life and help
prevent the growth of
community cat populations.
Additional funding would
represent a proactive
cost-effective investment and
animal welfare. Thank you for
your consideration.
>> Thank u next. Yet running
births. Hello. My name is
Ronnie Burris. And my
addresses on file. We all have
heard me talk a lot about
negotiations with Well, I'm
here to tell you tonight we
settled the contract.
>> And
>> my bargaining unit past the
240 to 14. So they're very
happy with the contract that
we were able to negotiate
impasse. Just so, you know, we
were the first union in over
20 years to go to impasse with
So hopefully we're going to
get them to 2026. And that's
what I told him but I just
want everybody to know that we
did settle the contract. Our
members are happy and I look
forward forward. Coming to you
and you passing it. Thank you,
sir. Next weekend as the
Liberty Patrick.
>> Good evening. My name is
out of some liberty, Patrick.
My address is on file. I am a
Jacksonville resident,
taxpayer and party to case
number 16, Dash 2026. Dash ca
Dash 0, 0, 4, 1, 5, 5, in the
4th judicial circuit. She's
passing around some
information there. I am
standing here tonight to talk
about ethics and basic due
diligence because apparently
someone around here needs to.
Back in 2025. 10 sitting
members of this council
Carrico Howland tomorrow
Lannan Carlucci Arias, White
Salem Miller and Freeman along
with Sheriff tk Waters rush
out to throw their official
backing behind a single
candidate for city council at
large group. One. She was
endorsed before basic legal
questions were never answered.
So let's clear this up now. In
this case, the one ending in
4, 1, 5, 5, No judge has
actually heard the evidence on
these residency claims. No
judge has allowed Discovery
and no one has put Ms Wesley
under oath for a deposition.
Her residency qualification
has never been proven in a
court of law. Not once. In
fact, as of second lawsuit
from an independent Duval
County elector has officially
been filed, challenging her
residency from a completely
separate source. 10 of you
endorsed her so early in 2025.
Without checking the facts.
Meanwhile and 2026 state level
criminal investigations and
subpoenas hover over our city
council like a dark cloud. The
irony is on most impressive.
So what was the rush? Did 10
council members and the
sheriff simply failed to do
basic research or was
political expediency more
important than just
transparency. I believe you
hope the public would not pay
attention to the fine print.
But news flash Jacksonville
residents do pay attention. We
read the fine print. So my
question to you. With 2 active
lawsuits now challenging her
eligibility. Does anyone have
the backbone to retract or
pause their endorsement until
Discovery takes place. And the
truth comes out under oath or
are you going to pretend these
legal questions do not exist?
The public record is watching.
Thank you.
>> Next we have drag in
Beloit. Meantime, on invite up
to the front, please. Jamal
Davis, Kiyana Blalock Nancy
Marie settle Xavier Green
Morejon onions.
>> Hi, my name is driving
blind. My addresses on file.
Hello again, everyone. Let's
all be really, really excited
for Lionel getting everything
they wanted because it was
crazy. Having them come up and
go, hey. Please help us just
over and over. It's always
nice to see a positive result.
I'm also here to speak on the
Garden Sounds awesome. I like
that. I have a little garden
that I keep in coats because I
can't put in the ground. So
keeping totes, I can move it
back and forth. Growing
peppers now. I also have
another thing I'd like to say.
I actually have a cat trap
actively in my car to start
doing the tnr program. And I'm
really not looking forward to
those fees. So hey.
>> If you can waive, those be
awesome. What I'm actually
here for is talk once again.
You're going to be so shocked
about flock cameras. There are
8 flock cameras around my
neighborhood. I literally
can't leave without a private
corporation spying on me. We
are the free state of Florida
left Ryan. Maybe look into
that. Also, none of them have
any like breakaway plates at
the bottom. So if a car hits
them, they're not going
anywhere. And that person is
going to get really hurt, who
installed these? The one right
in front of my house on
Merrill Road. That one.
>> Is.
>> Just sitting right next to
Merrill Road, which don't know
if you know how fast people
going that road. That's pretty
quick. Somebody hits that
without a breakaway plate,
they're going to die. And then
their family is going to sue,
not flock. But the city. I'm
letting you know that this is
going to be an issue in the
future. As soon as somebody
hits one of them. And we all
live in Jacksonville. We know
what drivers are like here.
Someone's gonna hit one. So
let's try and take some steps
to try and maybe if they're
going to be there, put a
breakway played there. Also,
if they're going to be there
in form, the people that are
being actively surveilled
because it is active
surveillance. I really don't
like living under surveillance
state. This is Jacksonville.
Jacksonville's, an awesome
city. I don't want somebody
looking over my shoulder when
I leave my house and right now
they do a private corporation
currently knows exactly where
I am. I don't like that. I
don't want that to be the kind
of city I live in. And none of
my either. I can't get him out
because they're all working.
But everybody's pretty upset
and they're going to vote that
upset later. So please take
action on Flock cameras. Thank
you very much
>> Next, we have 2 Davis.
Getting my name is Jamal Davis
and Miles is on file. Am here
tonight.
>> Also
>> to say that I am in favor
of the free to Martin as well.
I also think that for garden
at would be a great way for us
to institute another way to
have some sort of mental
health practices within our
city. And instead putting more
into the already inflated
budget that the Jacksonville
Sheriff's Office currently
gets here. And our wonderful
city and county. Here standing
as the North Florida, early
regional organizer for Black
voters matter and also
standing solidarity with the
Jacksonville Community Action
Committee on behalf of Black
voters matter and honor of
being able to. Help institute
a mental health response team
that will answer a lot of our
mental health cases instead of
having police department
having to constantly
consistently go out, said
particular cases as And I
would like for many of our
city council members also sit
with individuals within the
community and help build out a
budget that will benefit the
people as that of court for 8
interests and our developer or
friends. And we'll be in loved
ones. And so that is my time
that I will yield the Thank
you so much for listening to
me. I have a great evening.
>> Thank you, sir. Next we
have counted Blaylock. Can a
Blaylock address on file.
>> I'm here with the
Jacksonville Community Action
Committee to demand that
Jacksonville citizens have a
say and the city's budget. We
have seen that the portion of
the budget that goes to public
safety has increased over the
years. And much of that is
going to the Jacksonville
Sheriff's Office. And yes,
while public safety is a
priority, giving him the
increasing the budget
allocations that go to jso
seems like a contradiction
only because they have proven
time and time again that they
do not know how to
de-escalate, especially when
there are cases of mental
health crisis is happening
with Brian Gillis, our Sean
Martin Lee, a baker. They have
only escalated the situations
and unfortunately a lot of
them leads to Jax. Will
citizens being killed? Many of
the people here tonight have
told you exactly what they
want to be in this budget
where the fun should be going,
whether that's a community
garden, whether that is the
stopping of certain
developments in that we can
have a more walkable city. In
Jacksonville, weather that be
when Winn-Dixie came to for
money to beast saying in
Jacksonville and then the the
reasoning was that there are
food, deserts of food and
security. When you're a
council member here has said,
well, there is a food desert
funder at however, it just has
gone ignored by most of you.
So again, people are telling
you exactly what they want in
this budget. However, time and
time again, you have proven
that you it is falls on deaf
ears. If there's studies have
shown that over-policing just
leads to over policing, it is
not lead to a safer city, but
things that do lead to a safer
city are the things that your
constituents here have told
you to your Barry face time
and time again over the many
city council meetings. I have
been over the years this the
public, the People's Budget,
that j cac is proposing
provides a clear stormy of
alternative rather than the
bloated jso, a budget that we
have gone gotten every single
time. And thank you so much.
>> Thank And next we have Dan
see Murray so
>> Nancy Mind settle addresses
on file today. I'm here to
speak about law order rules
and regulation. There's a lot
of them when it comes to
running a large city like
Jacksonville and I personally
can shape against many of them
at times. But I also realize
that that's what makes our
civilization work. It makes
government work. It builds
trust between citizens and
elected for officials with the
rules are followed. It brings
order to what otherwise could
be chaos when there is
corruption, green for wealth
and power. Nepotism and
dishonesty. A city or state is
bound to fail. There's lots of
Sainz with showers said humans
have a tendency toward
corruption and dishonesty such
as rules are made to be
broken. Let's ask forgiveness
rather than permission. It was
just some of the white lion.
Everyone does it. There's so
many escape hatches from truth
telling an honest thing, but
we must attempt to shed light
where we see that the bending
of truth is becoming
detrimental. We must talk
about hypocrisy. Sometime. We
give each other grace sometime
we give a pass a waiver. When
we make mistakes. And when
running large organizations
like Jacksonville, I can see
some time the need for a
waiver from following the
rules, the codes, the
ordinances. But when becomes a
common practice, I think we
all need to take a look at
what is happening. I'm looking
at specifically at the waivers
from 1, 1, 8, 0, 7, which
requires a competitive bid
before grants can be made. I
understand it on a certain
level. It speeds up the
process of getting money to
organizations that are large
trusted, been doing business
with the city for decades,
such as United Way of
northeast Florida shows
backers center and however, in
this week's agenda, there were
27 instances of a request for
a waiver granted. Many of them
are coming from the budget for
next year. Some of them made
sense. Some of them died.
Didn't. However, there were at
least 5 other waivers.
Ordinances attempting to give
money to nonprofits without a
competitive bed. I'm gonna go
to that one 5, 7, 5, a request
for $94,000 to a great
organization operation for new
uniforms were the for sure.
But when the PRESIDENT's fire
watch has 2 of those members
sitting on the board, it looks
a little bit like nepotism. So
let's be careful of that.
>> Thank u next. We have
Xavier Green. Xavier Green
address on file. Good evening
City Council. My name is
Xavier Green and I'm a
resident of Jacksonville has
have a question. What message
does it send to your
constituents that are
pre-trial, detention facility
has quietly become the largest
mental health receiving
facility in Duval County. What
message does it send in your
own 2024? Special committee
report reveals a staggering
reality that more than 31% of
the jail population currently
qualifies for Dcip
diversionary mental health
programs. Yes, it and over.
Did also complain about how
overpopulated the jail is?
Sounds like an easy solution
to this billion-dollar issue.
Am I right? You all don't
believe you all don't even
believe that they belong in
there. So act on it. That same
report proved that individuals
with mental illness estate in
the times longer and cost 7
times as much draining
millions from taxpayers to the
jail and uf Health at the same
time, jso has killed over 5
resident in mental crisis in
2025 alone contributing to
local police killing rate.
That is more than twice the
national average while use of
force incidents and complaints
continue to rise and go
unresolved, according to jso
only open data and community
reports. We cannot afford to
keep funding a broken cycle of
incarceration and lethal
police saying the focus must
shift immediately to funding a
civilian Mental health
emergency response program.
We're pitching a twelve-month
pilot deployed deploying
Khalid clinician first
responder teams to handle
nonviolent calls license lsf
mental health providers like h
r c the cover spotter program
jso. If there is a potential
threat of danger and a police
response, if there's a direct
threat of extreme violence,
diverting people who need it
to community care like the
Sulzbacher Center or image rc
before they even reach a cell.
And guess what? It wouldn't
cost the city much at all.
We've done the research. The
state has coffers specifically
for mobile response. Teams are
MR. T's so the time is now.
Thank you. And also. Charlie
Kirk, all. Thank you, sir.
Next he had Marianna needs.
Meantime, on invite Gabriel
Peralta.
>> I Sharif. Jamie Travis
Leonard and Denise Cook to
please come down to the front.
>> Hello, my name's Marianna
Nieves address on file. Once
again, you've heard from the
public about what it wants to
see within its own community.
And I have an incredible and
new transformative idea for
our community. The people of
Jacksonville. We'll pay you
tax money, too. Put the things
that we want to see the
programs and initiatives that
we want to see within our
communities and our
communities. And you actually
do at this time. As the
working class people of
Jacksonville continue to see
more money being s#
#
into
the city. Only to have fuse
come out. And have city
leaders seemingly be more
interested in the investment
of death and stagnation with
in Jacksonville. We are done.
We're done with a $674 million
budget site and over
150 million dollar increase
over the years, Jacksonville
can more. More than afford to
invest invest in mental health
initiatives and a mental
health professional team. In
response to the men's health
crisis in Jacksonville. And
yet it chooses to invest
heavily into armed forces
meant to protect property and
not people. Just so jso is
budget has increased from
638 million to 678 million
over the last 2 years. Does
anyone feel 678 million
dollars safer? No one does.
Budget. People's budget is
clear. It's transformative and
for the people reinvesting
millions of taxpayer dollars
into the services and the
infrastructure that make our
communities better. And no
more jso funding increases. We
need to implement a people's
budget. Now. And I know if
Charlie Kirk was here with us,
he's looking up at us right
now. He would want this as
well. Thank you, guys.
>> Thank u next. We have
Gabriel Peralta. Good evening.
Get cable pearl to address on
file. So that that cac
Jacksonville Community Action
Committee has called for the
inclusion, a participatory
budgeting and which additional
funding going towards jso
should be decided by the
community to what priorities
the community needs.
Jacksonville should allow
impacted segments of the
community who are
traditionally excluded from
conventional budgeting plans
to decide how that money is
spent. Dozens of cities,
municipalities, school
districts and other entities
have effectively use
participatory budgets to
increase Democratic input from
communities. More funding to
jso hasn't paid dividends,
however, increase
opportunities, economic
development, livable wages and
enhance public services,
provide the stability needed
for the people of Jacksonville
to 3rd thoroughly. Fuller
flourish. Over the past
decade, the jso budget has
consistently accounted for
more than half of our city
budget and is increasing
increased nearly every year
with an overall rise of over
200 million since 2013, the
mental health crisis is not a
death sentence. One family's
call 9-1-1 for help. They're
asking for medical
intervention, not execution
with a 674 million dollar
budget in over 150 million
dollar increase over the last
couple years. Jacksonville
can't afford to invest and
trade. The Jacksonville can
afford to invest in for a
trained mental health
professionals instead of
letting armed officers act as
first responders for those in
crisis, we are demanding a
permanent mental health
emergency response team
mandatory de-escalation
protocols and family and
family records within 7
business days because grieving
family members shouldn't have
to wait months for answers.
Well, jso is budget balloons.
Also also no, Charlie Kirk,
they please. It sounds
horrible.
>> Thank u next. We have a
ministry. Good afternoon. I
Sharif I am coming basically
repeat the same thing we've
been saying over and over and
over again.
>> We have to community a face
stagnation. Many of the things
that we would be coming up
here at them for have not been
acted on.
>> Connor.
>> The young man that was
arrested for speaking
regarding Palestine is still
in jail for He is public
comments he has made. And he
basically are arrested for
that from the tape. He was
assaulted. But that's another
issue. The other thing you I'm
glad to see that alligator.
Our good friend is being
closed. It is because people
have been outraged about how
the environmental situation
affected the animals. Now we
have the same situation in
Ridgewood where the
environment too.
>> Humans that are coming from
the forensic, the forensic lab
in a more.
>> We the residents of that
area.
>> Should be given the same
consideration.
>> As the alligator Alcatraz.
>> We're being affected by
those
>> All right.
>> The other thing used to
criminal PRESIDENT. Who
basically part the JANUARY
6th. People that stormed the
Capitol. He has pardoned them.
Now he has put in for these
people to be compensated. The
cry and committed. When it a
subject to be considered for
something like
>> You have victims of soy
every. X and 4 compensation
for them being victim has they
consider that? Not relevant?
But didn't you could ask for
the JANUARY 6 people to be
compensated.
>> Income and next we have
Jaime Travers, Leonard.
>> Good evening. City
COUNCILMAN, a Travis I
addresses on file. Welcome
back. So today talk about
momentum specifically in this
community. You MAY have
noticed we have increasingly
least since I've been coming
regularly, which has been
about a year. I've attended
almost every one of these
meetings and several Eli's the
meetings at this point built a
lot of moments built a lot of
community. You've seen it with
the neighborhood Bill of
Rights. You see it with the
freedom to Garden Act. So as
you keep community momentum in
mind as we come into our
fiscal year, I reviewed the
mayor's budget. I was very
interest in the fact 3% is
going to public safety. And
unless there's some around in
the infographic that was
share, that's over a billion
dollars. Public safety is
priority number one. And this
budget reflects that. I'm
beginning to think this
council in the mayor's office
have a different idea of
public safety compared to me.
Someone tell you what I think
public safety is public safety
is access to nutritious food
public safety is affordable
housing. Public safety. It's
pedestrian pathways. They keep
them safe. Public safety is
heat shelters in our lovely
Florida summer. Public safety
is feral. Population
management and funding to help
people in the community do
that. Public safety is the
freedom to garden at it's the
neighborhood bill of Rights.
It's not putting the jail on
the North side. So what I
challenge this council to do
this fiscal year is take up.
There's call to prioritize
public safety. But give us
actual public safety make our
communities better safer and
more accessible. Next. We have
Denise Cook.
>> the by up to the front,
please, Kirstin Gilmore, John
Mooney and Chelsea Chen.
>> Good evening. My name is
Denise Cooking. My addresses
on file. Give you 3 guesses.
What I'm going to talk about
tonight. We all have been
listen me for years. So I'm
going to talk about jp Smalls.
>> And I'm going to talk about
the money that we've invested,
the money that we're
continuing to invest in. How
exciting that is. This is a
huge opportunity for
Jacksonville for 3 to 209. But
we have to also put in place
things that were destroyed
during redlining. There it is.
There's that keyword. There's
that buzzword. We use it. We
use it when it's appropriate
generate hype about what we're
doing in city council. We use
it when we're generating hype
of that. We want people on our
sides. We use it when it's a
pro. When we feel like it's
appropriate. But what it
really is is a deterioration
of our communities. And it has
been in place for years. We
all know it. We know we're
still doing it. We're doing it
in different ways. We're doing
it by digital redlining,
environmental lot. Redlining.
100 different names and we
should sit down and talk about
them all. But what we're doing
now is we're investing anchor
into 3 to 209. That is an
excellent idea. But how many
of you have been down there in
the last? 6 months? Is there a
safe places to walk? Are there
any eateries? Are there
anything to support that is a
crime in that area where it
should be so that tourists can
come so that families can
come. We're going to put in a
new museum. I'm all for this.
I want us to have these
anchors. We have beautiful,
beautiful, historic buildings.
We have wonderful rich
history, not just in 3 to 209,
that all throughout
Jacksonville. That we need to
do things purposely and
thoughtfully and with intent
and make sure we're not
putting the cart before the
horse. I do also support the
Freedom Garden Act. And as far
as feral cats, I got several
rabies shots last year from a
feral cat was not trapped. So
if we need, if we can swing
some money that way, it's a
good thing that's very
dangerous because raccoons in
Florida, but they don't
demonstrate any. Thank Makes
you Kirsten Gilmore. Good
afternoon. My name is and many
of my address on file.
>> I am here to speak about
Jacksonville. Jacksonville
deserves much better than the
scraps. We are often thrown by
the wayside. Like where birds
searching for the scraps,
like, you know how when you
scatter seed and some of it
goes right in the middle and
some of it fails to meet the
outer edges of the of the the
And unfortunately, oftentimes
like birds were all trying to
flock into one area to try and
gain access to a resource need
being met to a thing that we
need. And unfortunately,
Jacksonville oftentimes leaves
many, many districts by the
wayside. Unfortunately,
Jackson believes many people,
many. Institutions, many
funding things by the wayside.
When we prioritize funding
things that are not able to
actually supplement the
scattering the way that we are
continuously scattering seeds
the way that we are
continuously only putting
things in certain areas, only
putting things in certain
districts. Only prioritizing
planting trees in certain
districts putting mental
health resources, a certain
districts and things like
that. When we only prioritize
those types of things, it
creates an unfortunate
situation where people think
that things don't exist in
those districts. People think
those districts are trashy are
disgusting. Are invaluable.
And I do not want that for our
city. And I know that we've
heard many, many people say
that they don't want that for
their city. They want to be
able to build community
gardens. They want to be able
to have food access, access to
nature, access to creating
sustainable living programs
for not only the humans of
Jacksonville, but also for the
animals of Jacksonville, for
the wildlife of Jacksonville,
for the nature of
Jacksonville, for the
continuing infrastructure of
Jacksonville, which is what
the budget is supposed to be
for. When we highlight and
over in full size, making sure
that public safety is only
administered in one way. We
often we often see that
scattering of seeds only being
concentrated in one area. I
highly recommend we listen to
our constituents. We listen to
the people that come and speak
to us weekly. I know a few of
them personally. I highly
recommend we write down those
things and we write down those
names and those groups that
are coming in speaking to you
guys and you guys continue to
have conversations with them.
I would like to say that I
would also like to support the
right to garden I would not
like Charlie Kirk Day and I
would like to decrease
chances. But thank you.
>> Thank you, ma'am.
>> Next we have. John Mooney.
>> The low.
>> I am John Jay. New to
tracing go saisd Bascom Road
Jacksonville, Florida, 3, 2,
1, 6, Jacksonville City
Council resolution 2023 0, 1,
9 shout-out Rd. The real Ron
Davis. 600 wbo be Monday
through Friday. 69 Governor
DeSantis. James up PRESIDENT
Trump, Dean Black, Scott
Wilson, Danielle Ton the board
of County commissioners. Of
Saint Johns County
Jacksonville City Council
members. Pardon new 2024, 0,
1, 0, 7, 3, 0.5 million direct
contract Twenty-twenty 403, to
5 direct contract. University
of Florida septic tanks now
wearing my fwc. Phishing with
corrections.
>> at a recent ethics
>> commission meeting and you
can ask, wrangle. Paige
Johnson, Kirby Overdorf are I
asked we have 6 cpac.
Representing near the entire
city of Jacksonville. We have
the mayor's Disability Council
the Council Elder Affairs Wise
Ogc the Office of General
Counsel not represented at
these meetings. The public
trust just crushed, especially
in a waterway. Chanel show
anyone just down about a
minute. Okay, 2026. 0, 0, 2,
4, is a recent legislative
example. 2026. 0, 0, 0, for
that Parks Trust Fund 2026, 0,
3, 9, 6, movie trust fund.
>> 2025, 0, 4, 6, 3, Veterans
Trust Fund 2025, 0, 8, 6, 7
Duval County Public Schools
Cip one d-conn see o j 2009,
40. 42 that your official
Reeve Trust Fund and support
the freedom to garden at k
True Commission waterways. No,
that's good thing to the but
here real quick on end of 20
some seconds. Here's downtown
Jacksonville. The visitors
map. You open it and you know
The kayak launch and Chelsea
Street, it's not there. Here's
the new panda. Looking much
smaller. This one ends. Again.
The kayak launch and chills
the streets. Not there. And
there's legislation comment.
Well, tell you, take anybody.
It's the world market 2 last
speaker is a chill to chat.
Chapman.
>> Fellow council members, my
name is so Sweet. Chapman, a
single mother of 2 uniquely
able size and a resident of
Duval County since 2021. Also
a member of naacp and the
founder of guided Gordy
protecting which will be
providing a you've academic
community enrichment program
for the eu in the near future
of 2027. I came Jacksonville
seeking peace grow in a
stability after homelessness.
But instead faced re pd
negligence. The lay-in
violations from the city of
Jacksonville that prolonged
our hardship endanger my
family's well-being. Despite
clear needs in eligibility,
essential services were
mishandled or denied, leaving
my children without consistent
disability support in
Portsmouth to navigate in
instability. No family should
indoor the systematic failures
caused emotional financial in
physical harm. Wild strucked
in our path forward, securing
housing and economic
independence. Even through
challenges speak publicly
because the residents of Duval
experience reflects a broader
pattern of institutional
neglect affecting grand double
families across Jacksonville.
I remain committed advocating
for accountability change in a
few to work. Families like
mine receive the or they are
promised council members. I'm
here to address that clear
shift in Jacksonville spending
priorities between the budget
of 2019 and the 2026 20 7
budget. And what those changes
mean for the people who live
here. In 2019, the City
General Fund exceeded 1.2, 6
billion with nearly
750 million dedicated to
public safety infrastructure
improvements relied heavily on
debt and social investments
were limited. That budget
maintain basic operations, but
he did not deliver
transformative change for
residents in 2026. 2027 and
the public faith, the
feel-good phones about 55% of
the general fund. While people
in this news remains small,
it. 7.3% The capital
improvement plan has exploded
for 262 million for the year.
And 1.2 billion over 5 years.
With 1 billion funded through
borrowing these. This
represents a major strategic
shift towards driven
infrastructure expansion. The
pattern 5th in public safety
dominates Social. Thank you,
ma'am. Programs.
>> We have 2 people who do not
wish to speak with Samantha
Cards. Jessica, much an please
support Jaycee agencies, but
people's budget create a
mental health resource center.
And and some buck do not want
does not want the soccer
stadium at the town center.
MR. PRESIDENT, before moving
on to public hearings as per
your request, we're going to
be moving up item number one.
44 on Page 56. Number one. 44
on page 56, 2026, 0, 5, 7, 6.
I move the emergency.
>> We have a motion a second
on the emergency and the
applicant's representative is
here. If anyone did not get to
talk to him during committee
week. Seeing nobody in the
queue will take the emergency
vote verbally. All those in
favor indicate by saying Aye,
aye, all again saying no. The
emergency passes.
>> present, we have to public
participation cards. The first
is John New
>> MR. New Europe. 3 minutes
on item one. 44 2026, 0, 5, 7,
6,
>> Hello, I am John Jay
nudity. Jacksonville City
Council resolution 2023, 0, 8,
1, 9, city Council district 4
cpac, 3 school board district
3 I thought I marked on the
card did not wish to speak. I
just need to hear your voice,
my friend. Thank you for your.
We're doing a but I just but
I'm here. And and just for the
record, I do believe unmarked.
I support the legislation.
Thank you, MR. New. Thank you,
Alright. Thank you, We have
another speaker, MR. Harden.
>> Council PRESIDENT Have
questions only have one.
Someone has anything they'd
like to ask. Know, All right.
Thank you, sir. Yes, sir.
Having no more cards, I move
the emergency move the bill as
emergency.
>> We have a motion and the
second on the bill is an
emergency. Again, the
applicant's representatives
here for any questions seeing
none. So about a quarter want.
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote. 2026, 0, 5,
7, 6, passes.
>> PRESIDENT Is now time for
public hearings be beginning
on Page 8 councilmember should
declare any ex parte
communications. Anyone wishing
to speak on the following
bills should have completed a
blue Speaker card and you
would be allowed 3 minutes to
speak if you provide your
address or the person on the
prescribed form and don't wish
to stay on the microphone,
then you're permitted to just
to state it on the record. But
we encourage to be specific as
possible as to your location
because it will likely impact
the weight your comments like
public comment, assuming
approval of the presiding
speaker MAY be invited to the
Robert Johnson room for
further discussion
councilmember failure to
complete the form provided
including the provision of an
address on the form. Mean,
your name will not be called
for public hearing. MR. Deal,
please read the Bills.
>> 2026. 3.76 4.20 For 21 for
83 for 84. 45 5? 33 5. 34 5,
35, 5. 36 5. 37 5. 38. 5.39 5.
45? 41 5. 42 5.43 5.52 2026.
1. 22 one. 23 one. 24 1. 25
one. 26 1.27 For 22 for 23.
For 24. For 25 for 26. For 27,
for 28. For 29. For 30, for 31
for 30 to 4.33 For 75. 4. 76
4.77 For 78 for 79 for 84, 81
and for 82.
>> This PRESIDENT Would ask
you to please open up those
public hearings. These public
hearings are all open again as
per your request. We're going
to jump ahead and take 2 items
out of order. Item number. 46,
2026 4, 7, 7 on Page. 24. Do
we have any cards for that?
You have 2 cards on 46, 3
cards. I'm sorry for 77. I'm
sorry. It is 77, 70. All
right. We've got 4 card.
First. One is Christian
County. Followed by Grady
Pope. And Laura Baucus would
ask you to come to onto the
front, please. And then MISTER
Hart.
>> And because we skipped
ahead, reminder to all my
colleagues, we're on item
number. 46, 2026, 0, 4, 7, 7,
We're in public.
>> Good evening. Chrissy
address on file. I oppose Bill
0, 4, 7, 7, as it has clearly
identified comp plan
deficiencies. On behalf of the
San Jose Neighborhood
Association myself as a
homeowner, I respectfully
request that the San Jose
Neighborhood Association
competent substantial evidence
binder exhibits one through 53
be entered into the record.
This exhibit binder represents
months of research through
public records. City planning
documents. Engineering reports
environmental studies,
demographic data legislative
history. Starry Ducey says
judicial precedents and
applicable statutes and case
law. It has been prepared to
assist the council in
developing a complete
evidentiary support record for
this proposed land use
amendment. And it is compare
and its companion rezoning 4,
7, 8, the first section of the
binder focuses on the land use
amendment it contains
demographic information
planning analysis,
comprehensive plan, resources
and legal authorities that are
supported by evidence and
advances a legitimate public
purpose, which at this time we
oppose due to failure points
within the application. The
remaining sections are
organized around 5 findings
required by the San Jose
Neighborhood Association
resolution 0, 1, 2, 0, 2, 6,
and addresses. The companion
planned unit development which
my neighbors we'll address for
the next bill. It's tab
corresponds to one of those
findings and include
supporting documents related
to traffic compatibility
buffering. Environmental
preservation, infrastructure,
and housing standards and how
our 5 asks reasonably repair
aforementioned failure point.
It has been organizes a
working reference to help
locate supporting documents.
Quickly formulate questions as
they arise and identify issues
that MAY warrant further
discussion before this matter
moves to the all use the
committee, the neighborhood
presents that these exhibits
to help complete the
evidentiary record by
providing information that was
either not included your fully
developed in the applicant
submission. Our intent is not
to overwhelm the record but to
assist the council and
evaluating whether the
applicable land use and zoning
standards have been satisfied.
We're encouraged by the
applicant statements after
Planning Commission indicating
a willingness to begin work
shopping. This application
with us now. We appreciate
that commitment and look
forward to a meaningful
meeting of the minds on the 5
issues identified for final
approval. Thank you very much.
>> Thank u next. We have great
Grady, Pope, 3, 7, 0, 4, Ponce
de Leon Avenue in San Jose. 3,
2, 2, 1, 7, I oppose
ordinance. To 6, 0, 4, 7, 8,
As written. The staff report
for this ordinance recommends
there were speaking 4, 7, 7,
sorry. House have a seat. MISS
County just spoke for me on
that. When speak. All right.
Next, we have Laura Baucus.
>> I am Laura Baucus, my
addresses on file. And I
oppose 4, 7, 7,
>> This section of Old Kings
Road south between Saint
Augustine Road and Powers
Avenue.
>> Where the Kings Trail
property is located does not
meet current standards for
residential roadway. It has to
10 foot lanes, no shoulder, no
parking lanes or turn lanes.
There's no bike lane and no
jta bus route. No space was
planned for red expansion.
Drainage ditches wind about
half of this section of Old
Kings Road south on both
sides. The road 57
single-family homes across the
20 foot wide street facing the
Kings Trail Elementary School
property and it is assigned as
a suburban residential
collector. C 3 are by the fdot
or a collector by the city
with unacceptable volume of
over 17,000 trips, daily,
according to the
classification. In early JULY,
our neighborhood association
heard an independent traffic
engineer, Austin CHAIRMAN. He
did just analysis and it
indicates King's road sale
things nonconforming to
current standards for a
collector road weight. They're
currently no bus stops, know,
routes along this section and
the closest bus stops around
Saint Augustine Road about a
3rd of a mile away or half a
mile to Powers Avenue to east.
This is important to consider
when increasing housing
density, according to the
comprehensive plan. And in
2025, the city of Jacksonville
traffic study identified this
section of road. The Kings
Trail School property is on
gets about 2500 trips daily.
But f dot estimates 3600 trips
daily in this section as
comparison of collectors to
our West, Saint Augustine
Road, its quest to find some
minor arterial. And it has 4
lanes but no parking or turn
lanes and it gets over 16,000
daily trips and it's 60%
capacity, according to
projections to our East Powers
Avenue, a minor arterial. It's
a suburb in commercial
collectors, c 3 c has 4 lanes
with a center turn lane. It is
estimated that over 21,000
average daily trips and is it
about 58% of the projected
volume? Powers also has
routes, bus stops in a bike
lane. The proposed land use
change would open this area to
medium density residential
development, according to the
traffic engineers analysis.
Thank you, ma'am. Thank you.
Paul r.
>> Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN
pardoned 14. 31 Riverplace
Boulevard. I'll go quickly on
this. This piece of property
joining a parcel that you zone
for the exact same use. They
were backing of this property
less than 6 months ago. We're
proposing down-zoning on the
site currently being used for
school. The school board's
closing down. It's going to be
institutional used to single
family residential the road
that they're talking about
King's Road at the spot that
we're planning our entry onto
the road is capacity yet 14%.
There's 86% capacity,
according to the plate
apartment at this site,
everything that they propose
in there, but that they handed
out to is incorrect. It is
counter to the plane
department's report and has
information in those reports
on those issues. So I'll be
happy go over those with any
way if you have time. Thank
you, MISTER CHAIRMAN.
>> MR. PRESIDENT. You also
have 4 members who do not wish
to speak for him individuals.
Lisa Fried lander. She
opposes. Lee's Prescott,
Prescott, Prescott opposes
Jacob, like? All oppose 4, 7,
7, I have no more cars on 4,
7, 7,
>> This public hearing as
close an additional public
hearing will be held on AUGUST
11. 2026 next. We have item
number. 47, 2026, 4, 7, 8, at
2 speaker cards great for pope
and or boat. Credico, 3, 7, 0,
4, Ponce de Leon Avenue in the
sand is a neighborhood. 3, 2,
2, 1, 7, I posed ordinance to
0 to 6, 0, 4, 7, 8 as written
the staff report. Order
recommends 2 conditions. The
standard traffic study and
requiring guest parking to be
provided in accordance with
the code at a ratio, one
parking space for every 3
townhomes and or cottages at
the Planning Commission
hearing on JULY. 23, the
attorney for the applicant
agreed to the traffic study
the belt, but balked being
required to provide guests
parking stating its burden to
maintain. If you look at Page
9 of the staff report, it
explicitly states as a number
of town home and cut his
development has increased
throughout the city. The
Planning Department and Public
Works. Department had received
a growing number of complaints
regarding inadequate guess
parking within these
communities and sufficient
guess parking often results in
vehicles being park along
internal roadways or a chase
in Public street, creating
potential traffic circulation
issues impacting neighboring
residential areas requiring
guest parking as the standard
ratio will help accommodate
those are parking demand
reduced on tree parking
conflicts and maintain
compatibility with surrounding
neighborhoods. Jose
Neighborhood Association
wholeheartedly agrees and
adds. That relying upon
on-street parking will also
create an unnecessary hurdle
for emergency responders do
that are proposed in 2 major
of the project and limited
availability for on-street
parking. We respectively
request that you consider
approval to account credit
because parking thank you.
Thank you, Sir. Thank you, MR.
Hard.
>> Thank you. CHAIRMAN Paul
Hard 14. They want replace
school board. We have proposed
that the planning commission
that the guests parking in
front of the houses, the lot
to lot louder than 31 feet.
They have room for parking on
the front. Otherwise what you
would have its guest parking
scattered throughout the
subdivision. There are people
use for storage. They're not
used for parking. People want
to park and then come visit.
So walked through 4 houses
away. We'll have some of the
folks for bring finders here
to answer the questions on
that. But we we think that the
proposed plan proposed in the
site plan in the application
fits this requirement. Thank
you, MISTER CHAIRMAN.
>> PRESIDENT No more for item
for I do have one more.
>> You do have another card. I
believe I So they have 4 more
cards. 5. This canning. The
surf, Redlined or Philander.
Rush. Any careful. Courtney
Pope, he just spoke on that
one. And then Laura Baucus,
Candy.
>> Again, Kristie Kenney
address on file. As written 0,
4, should not pass for nearly
75 years. Our San Jose
neighborhood settled the side.
The Kings Trail Elementary
School. It was not perfect,
but it was predictable.
Families understood the
relationship with teen their
homes and that property. The
school served a profound
public purpose and the
surrounding community rooted
around that reality that
chapters changing and we
understand the properties to
not remain frozen in time. We
understand that housing
demands are different and
we're not asking this council
to stop progress, quality
planning asks a significant
question when one land use
gives way to another. Will we
build the right bridge between
the old and the new?
>> Because the city is not
simply approving housing. Its
granting a new set of
development rights that will
remain attached to this
property with the pd long
after we're gone. The former
school property in the
proposed development are not
equivalent uses simply because
the apa tie the same acreage.
One was a public institutional
use activity concentrated
around school calendar and
activities. The other creates
110 permanent household and
the intensities of such that
difference matters. It is why
the pd written description
matters. Apd is not a
contingency. It is a legal
instrument that defines what
can and cannot happen on this
property. The applicant
suggested that many of the
protections are neighborhood
request unreasonable but will
likely happen anyway and are
intent. Respectfully likely is
not a zoning standard and of
our community cannot think
feel and believe to
substantiate or request
neither can the applicant.
This is still a school board
property. Our ask is the
language you approve. Our
neighborhood is requested 5
reasonable additions to the pd
written description. They are
not unreasonable demands.
Their modest safeguards
intended to ensure that the
transition from a long
established suburban
neighborhood to a higher
intensity, urban residential
development occurs
respectfully for all property
owners for 4 months. Residents
of asked for collaboration.
We've reviewed plans, studied
impacts and offered solutions.
We've not come here to oppose.
We've come here to improve
during the planning commission
hearing. All of those efforts
were dismissed rather than
examined, but disagreements
should never replace evidence
and frustration should never
replace planning. Do not ask
this neighborhood to trust but
cannot be enforced to rely on
assurances never written down.
How can we be expected to do
that?
>> Thanks. We have Lisa Free
lander. That's close.
>> Lisa Friedlander, my
addresses on file. I
respectfully urge you to
oppose ordinance. 2026 Dash,
0, 4, 7, 8, unless it is
amended to require meaningful
protection. This property is
wetlands and mature tree
canopy. In the last 3 years.
Within 1.6 miles of our San
Jose neighborhood. We have
lost 105 acres, a forest that
served as a major ecosystem to
our area. Clear cut by
developers for affordable
housing apartments, luxury
apartments and townhomes. 105
acres of beautiful trees and
wildlife gone. I would be
lying if I said, I believe
that the planning Commission
or dream Finders cares about
the 1.2 acres of wetlands
behind the Kings Trail
Elementary School. But we
care. Instead of an extensive
clearing of the 1.2 acres of
wetlands which are live oaks
and cypress trees. The builder
could choose to utilize this
land for the benefit of
themselves. New homeowners and
the existing neighborhood.
There is research supporting
this path. Please refer to
your binder. The San Jose area
is one of the few remaining
gems in Jacksonville from Bay
Meadows, North. 2 San Marco.
It's a pleasant drive with
mature trees and no strip
malls. Every few miles. I have
so much respect and gratitude
for the San Jose Neighborhood
Association. I but I belong
to. They have worked
tirelessly giving their time
and money to try and preserve
our neighborhood. Even though
the game same stacked against
the people. Jacksonville is
blessed to have such a caring
citizens as a part of their
community. I respectfully ask
you to vote no on this
ordinance. 0, 4, 7, 8, and
less environmental protections
are made a condition of
approval. Once these let
wetlands are filled in these
trees are removed. They cannot
be replaced. We have an
obligation to ensure growth
occurs responsibly and in
accordance with the standards
the city Council has already
adopted. Thank you for time.
>> next, we have the least
brush.
>> Good evening. My name is
Alice Bureau should address on
record and I'm the PRESIDENT
Of the San Jose Neighborhood
Association. I'll be speaking
to Purple Tab 5 in your
binders and submit those
documents for the record. I
oppose ordinance 2026, 0, 4,
7, 8, not the project itself,
but the pd as written. There
are things about the project
we can support. But the pd
written description leaves
many questions unanswered in
leaves a blank check for the
developer to cash without
community input. At the
Planning Commission hearing on
JULY 23rd, MR. Harden callers
are requested conditions as
unreasonable. That MAY seem
like a true statement to
someone who doesn't live in
the area and travel the
roadways on a daily basis or
even to someone who doesn't
live directly across the
street from the project site.
Our neighborhood is asking for
5 specific conditions to
protect character of our
neighborhood, all supported by
the comprehensive plan,
Florida statutes in prior
counsel actions. One of those
conditions is housing for the
elderly, which the applicant
has identified as one of the
principal permitted uses
within this pd. Because the
written description does not
define what qualifies as
housing for the elderly. The
ordinance should express Lee
require that any development
relying on this authorization
comply with the federal
Housing for Older Persons Act
and its implementing
regulations for the life of
the development. Requiring
compliance with Copa simply
ensures that it if it get this
permit, uses pursued. It
functions as a true age
qualify community consistent
with both the applicants
representations and federal
law. We recognize the need for
and would welcome a 55 plus
independent living active
adult community in our area.
In fact, of the 4 active adult
communities within a 10 mile
radius of this project site.
Only one offers detached
single family homes. And it's
the farthest from the site.
I'd like to mention that
despite our best efforts we've
not been given the opportunity
to meet with Mr, Harden or
have a town hall. Although the
affected parties were afforded
some type of virtual meeting.
The San Jose Neighborhood
Association was not notified
or invited. Lastly in JUNE,
the South, the cpac voted
unanimously 19, 2, 0, to
submit a letter recommending a
deferment to provide the
planning commission and the
public with additional time to
carefully evaluate the
benefits and concerns
associated with these
ordinances. And potential
effects on the surrounding
neighborhood. A copy of the
cpac letter is in your binder.
The planning commission
declined to differ. But if are
given more time, we're
confident we can work with the
applicant to reach a solution.
Thank you for your time.
>> Thank u next. We have meet
Cal Phil.
>> Good evening. I'm Amy
Calfee.
>> thank Writing one wing
here. Sorry about that.
>> Yeah. So Amy Calfee with
Jose Neighborhood Association.
My addresses on file and I'm
speaking opposition to the
proposed ordinance o for 7, 8
as written. Having spoken here
before you all up, asked us to
just don't say no, bring some
ideas. So in your binders and
we keep referring to that,
it's quick reference material
full of competent and
substantial evidence
supporting the beauties
conditions that we're
requesting. So you've heard
about wetland Seaford, about
traffic. Mike, to talk to you
about building heights and the
buffer along old Kings Road
South. The application allows
structures up to 35 feet on 31
foot wide. Lots right up
against our neighborhood
boundary. That's a sharp jab
Primarily single story.
Single-family homes and after
the Planning Commission
hearing last week, the
applicant's representative
confirmed that the product is
intended to be single story.
Cottages across the whole
site. If that's the case and
we take him at his word, then
writing that commitment into
the pd language should be
straight forward. Single story
limit along our shared
boundary stepping up only on
the Far East side near Powers
Avenue, simply lack son, the
transition, the site plan
already implies it protects
existing neighborhood without
stopping the project. Second
is the buffer King's Road
South. We're asking for
continuity with what's already
there. Reclaim the school
break from the walls torn down
from the school and set the
bar for death. At 35 feet from
the right of way that matches
the established buffering
keeps the streetscape
consistent with more safety
and more safely. Walkable.
There's a practical website
too adaptive reuse credits are
available instead of
demolishing of the brick. You
can repurpose it and it's in
part of historic reuse
requirements that the
comprehensive plan is better
for the project, saves money
for the developer. Good idea.
Neither of these conditions
are unreasonable nor are they
anti development. But simply
make the pd match what the
applicant already described.
But we want you to see this
handout in your Binder that
talks about her neighborhood.
We levin 100 single-family
homes with rapidly. 26 52,650
residents and nearly 73% of
this town's are homestead. It
and owner occupied. So it's a
stable treeline data said in
your binder that I just shared
with you representing a full
long term resident base asking
for a reasonable transition.
Thank you.
>> Thank you. Last speakers,
Laura Baucus.
>> I'm Laura addresses on
file. I was talking about the
road condition King's Road
South. A curse for opposing 4,
7, 8 as written. A curse for
the new Housing Development
Bureau. King's Road South.
This is not the best solution
development on that property
could explore getting an
easement to Powers Avenue,
which is better designed for
the volume of traffic. 110
units could just generate and
have easier access to
multi-modal transportation.
Widening old Kings road south
in the section between Saint
Augustine Road and the
intersection with Powers
Avenue to meet current
collector roadway design
requirements could be required
according to the City Land
Development Procedure manual
vehicles. Excuse me, when
developments have a volume of
left turn and right turn
traffic that exceeds 20 to 30
vehicles per hour. They
recommend a specified storage
turning lane, windy necessary.
This would be a roadway
improvement that could be
required, according to the
independent assessment of
Traffic engineer, Alston
Chapman, current space
constraints are impossible to
overcome without potentially
seizing property adjacent
homeowners by eminent domain.
A possible solution has been
proposed by our neighborhood
still association. We're
approach ymca leadership.
Their property is also for
sale in a such a center. The
Kings Trail property and the
Duval County School board
representative for the Kings
Trail property about
requesting a shared easement
using an existing service road
at Wilson High School that
would allow Ingress and egress
for both properties via Powers
Avenue, the ability to provide
an access road that meets
current roadway. Design
standards is possible with
this solution. Ymca leadership
is interested as it would
enhance their ability to sell.
Jacksonville ordinance Code
also supports a solution like
this for easements and cross
access. There's been a recent
precedent that was set that
also supports a solution like
this ordinance, 0, 2, 5 Dash,
4, 4, 9 Dash for the Normandy
code p today included language
that made the rezoning
approval subject to conditions
it required the development to
secure an agreement with the
Duval County School Board for
Access to the property. And
specific roadway prior to the
first certificate of occupancy
or the functional equivalent,
a condition like this for
access on Powers Avenue, the
and the easement through 2
school board properties with
the agreement of the ymca is
our recommended solution.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, MR. Thank MR.
PRESIDENT, we have no more
speaker cards and 4.70
>> This public hearings close
additional public hearing be
held on AUGUST 11, 2026.
Moving back to the start of
our items on public hearings.
Page number 8.
>> Item number 8, 2026, 3, 7,
6, I have one Speaker card,
Florida. Look at Vice present
Carlucci is going to the green
Room for those from the
neighborhood who want to meet
him there regarding the last
2. Public hearings. We just
had MR. Noone e 3 minutes,
sir. The low.
>> I John philanthropic.
>> Good boy. Resiliency and
tangible. New knee. 83. 56
pass Cumru Jacksonville,
Florida, 3, 2, 2, 1, city
council district, 4 cpac, 3
school board district 3.
>> gosh. You know, this is
massive stuff. Home
occupations. Men sections, we
got a rural residential
category. Low density
residential category, medium
density residential category
high-density category. So part
be residential use categories
in zoning districts. Now this
is massive. It's in rules so
easy but not waterways. And
you know, the cpac Is it going
to go to the cpac And you The
reason I want to speak to
this. It gets back to the
quality of life throughout
this entire city. And then the
waterways component. Access.
And tell anybody else show
anyone. I think we're just
getting absolutely crushed. So
when you do increase this? In
every category. Keep in mind
are 67 counties in the state
of Florida. Our waterways.
He's one of the most critical
unifying. Features. You know,
I just wrote on a whole bunch
of different make Facebook
stuff like keep in mind. Like
we just had. The power lines
like a thing with the
Jacksonville, Florida, east
and the bill. Please. I am. I
mean, know, again, you know,
all all these home occupation
occupations, density
requirements. And it doesn't
matter what, whether jt it all
the independent authorities.
You know what? I want to just
focus on and what I hope this
council focuses on. This.
Remember that read Island.
Before we had public access.
Now, also not the bill,
please. MISTER T. Okay. Last
last time. Less time. Ok,
well, anyway. Wanted to bring
that what I just send it to
waterways. And then maybe that
discussion happened there. All
right. Thank you for
listening. Thank you, sir.
That's number. No more
speakers card. 3 sevens, this
public hearings continued to
AUGUST 11, 2026. Page, 9 items
numbers, 9, 10 11 for 204, to
one.
>> 4, 3, I've no speaker
cards.
>> Number of the 2026, 0, 4, 2
2026, 0, 4, to one or
continued public hearings
continued to AUGUST 11, 20.
>> then item number 11, 2026.
43 at most speaker. This
public hearing is closed.
Turning the page to item
number 12, 2026 forth. 8, 4,
and 4, 8, 5, actually I have
one speaker card or 45 hold
on. 44 of no speaker cards.
This public areas closed an
45? I have one speaker card
questions only. And Christian
Seeing no questions. This
public hearing closed. And
moving on out item 14, 2026,
5, 3, 3, I have one speaker
card, Jorge Gonzales, MR.
Gonzales. George One, 35 West
9th Street I don't have
anything over closer to
microphone. Please. I don't
have anything additional to
say. I just was If someone
needed any questions,
questions only get. Thank you,
I have no more cards and
seeing no questions. This
public hearing is closed.
We've got now a page. Have an
item. Number 5, 3 2026, 5, 3,
4. I have no speaker cards.
Public hearings closed item,
16, 2026, 5, 3, 5. I have one
speaker card. Jamie Travis
Leonard. Do you wish to speak?
MISS Leonard?
>> Good evening. City
COUNCILMAN Name is Jimmy
Travis entered my address is
on file. So when it comes to
26, 5, 3, 5, I do support this
ordinance. What I'm heading
out right now is the fdot
flyer on roundabouts. So my
only request is I don't know
could be applied technically
to this ordinance. But in the
future when we are expanding
some of our roadways,
roundabouts are the safest way
to integrate turning into that
when redeveloping roads, it is
safer for cars. It safer for
pedestrians. Also, as I
mentioned previously in public
comments, we don't have to
worry about people ignoring
safety in the rain outside of
what they're normally going to
do because roundabouts don't
require electricity, which
means when we have our
torrential downpours, they are
still functional. So my public
comments predominantly on a
potentially incorporating
roundabouts into at the turn
lanes. They're going to be the
subject of this bill, if
possible, if not, I understand
I kind of came at the end of
the process, but for the
future, I hope you guys
consider that when you are
looking to improve our
roadways. Thank you.
>> Thank you, ma'am. I have no
more speaker cards on 5, 3, 5,
The Spokane is closed item
number 17, 2026, 5, 3, 6, I
have no speaker cards. Public
areas closed. Turning the page
18 number 18, 2026, 5, 3, 7,
at 4 cards. Samantha Series.
By Jamie Travis Leonard,
followed by Nancy Marie
settled.
>> Samantha Series address on
file. This bill provides
forgiveness to Jacksonville
Fraternal Order of Police
Foundation. That'll be
Foundation received $200,000
City grant to support various
charitable and educational and
yet initiatives under the
fiscal year, 2024. 2025 City
Grant agreement sections. One
18.2 0, 1, 1, 18.2 0, 2, the
fop Foundation was required to
provide an audit. Report by
APRIL 30th 2026. For funds
received during its fiscal
year ending DECEMBER 31st.
2025 the fop Foundation
submitted a limited procedures
audit report that did not meet
the requirements and did not
provide required audit and was
there for a place on council
auditors chapter one, 18
non-compliance list on JUNE
12, 2026. Because that
placement renders ineligible
for the city grants. That is
why the fop Foundation is
requesting forgiveness.
Further noncompliance and
removal from the list. I do
not support this. I would like
to know if they are going to
provide an audit that does, in
fact, meet the requirements
that they need to meet. I
don't know about you guys, but
usually when an audit isn't
being met. Fraud is involved.
That's usually how it works.
If you are getting these
places, you and you're just
for giving them. Without
having any backup to any
reason that you're forgiving
them. You're just okay. Take a
marvelous. Give them more
money. Where's the money
going? Why can't they give us
an audit that actually meets
the requirements? They agree
to. They received money
$200,000. They said they were
going to give you an audit
that met the requirements for
the money that they received
it doesn't meet the
requirements. Why or why are
we just for giving this that
there needs to be discussion
about this? Are we getting in
on it? Because, again, that is
where fraud slips in. That is
when you see money's being
used that are not allowed to
be used for what they're being
used for. That's the only
reason why you wouldn't give
an audit because you don't
have the backing. You don't
have the receipts. That's
usually why not and isn't
being provided because you'll
have a full correct receipts.
I think we need audit. I think
you all need to discuss this
and I'm sure it's going to
pass. But honestly, it's
concerning that we're just
allowing forgiveness is for
things that are required to
have on its not have on it.
And I would think that you
guys would be concerned about
that. It's your it's the money
for our city. You know, our
budget coming up, we're
probably going to give them
another grant. We need to be
careful about this. Thank you.
>> Thanks. We have Jaime
Travers, Leonard.
>> Good Evening City Council.
My name is Jamie Travis
Leonard, my addresses on file
panic. So I also oppose 26, 5,
3, 7, I don't know if there's
like a miscommunication with
like what is being expressed
to the community. But from
what I've read based what
happened was p foundation
failed to meet their
obligations to provide audits
based on our ordinances. And
now they are asking for
forgiveness for that to
continue to receive public
funds. I know about you, but
if I fail to pay my taxes, the
irs doesn't just forgive me.
So I'm not sure why we would
even forgiveness. Now, if
maybe they were late and they
have finalized a and submitted
an audit that meets the
requirements. I can understand
if that happened, that
information's not communicated
in this. So there's a lack of
communication and transparency
with the public in that case.
At which point I MAY move to
support for this time. I
oppose based on the
information that was provided
in accordance with the bill
online. I don't even know
again. I'm not sure why would
entertain us if they aren't
meeting their out audit
obligations. We have those
ordinances for a reason. It's
checks and balances. I do. We
not have Duvall do jump in
here. They not questioning
this is not the whole thing is
a fine waste, fraud and abuse,
Oregon health care. It's big
deal. I'm assuming it's a big
deal for you all to pay
attention to that. So. Unless
there's and again, information
that hasn't been transparently
provided to the public. I
expect you all to not pass
this. Thank you.
>> Thanks for net. Nancy Marie
Settle.
>> Nancy Marie Settle
addresses on file again. I'm
sticking with my same theme
for today. I'm here to speak
about lawn order rules and
regulations. I oppose Bill
'05, 3, 7, to forgive the
Fraternal Order of Police for
Non compliance and audit team.
It should they should not be
forgiven. They broke a rule
and they should live with
those consequences. Law and
order. They are not above it.
When citizens here in council
break the rules by clapping
their costs down or even
worse. And again, in proposing
this ordinance, even the
hypocrisy is evident. It's
clapping in support of council
is good in Grace's given men.
Yet clapping in support of the
citizen that disagrees with
the council. That's bad and
must be punished.
>> Rules and regulations were
either going to follow them or
not.
>> And for the Fraternal Order
of police, they also need to
abide by those regulations.
Why? Why are we even why is it
out here? I mean, is it just
because they're the police?
And I mean, we give a lot of
money to police and we don't
and we have a police problem.
Inmates are dying. There is
slaw suits about police
brutality, but we don't
question and we continue in
the budget to give money. Is
it just because police is in
the name? We have a problem,
obviously with the Fraternal
Order of police, they did not
submit audited statements.
That's a requirement to be
able to receive city money
waivers, all these forgiveness
is are we going to just let
the fraternal order of police
off the hook as well? I say
no. They did not complete. The
audit is required and we want
to make more city money
available to them How does
that make sense? It doesn't it
would not be good stewardship
stewardship of our money.
Please vote no on Bill of 5,
3, 7,
>> They COUNCILMAN Johnson
would be glad to be with you.
And Robert on 3. That is we
just spoke. If you're
interested meeting with him.
MR. Johnson. There was a 4th
card on this item by Knee. He
opposes it but does not wish
to speak. It closes that
continue this public hearing
closed item 1920, 26, 5, 3, 8,
I have no speaker cards. This
public hearing is closed. Item
number 2020, 26, 5, 3, 9, have
one speaker card. John New
Below.
>> I am John Jay New
Jacksonville City Council
resolution 2023, 0, 1, 9, and
city Council district 4 cpac,
3 school board district 3. All
right. The reason I'm speaking
on this piece of legislation
are appropriating $115,000.
And 90 notes from the Duval
County tax collector. But
we've got 25,000. From the
Saint Johns River, Water
Management District. And so
it's going to be posted my
first thought Are we getting
managed to stand? I mean, the
water management district. You
know, I hope someone is here
to speak to that because
there's legislation feel that
another is stuff coming in the
next. But anyway. You know,
for just going to be just
moving some stuff around the
world management. You know, 25
k, you know that that's the
way. Then just let's let's get
ready to really open up our
waterways for some public
access. All right. Thank you
for listening. No more speaker
card 5 through 9.
>> This public areas closed
and 21 2026 5.40, no cards.
This public areas closed. I'm
22 23 on Page 14. 5, 4, 5, 4,
2, I have no cards. These
public hearings are closed. 59
24 2026, 5, 4, 3, I have no
cards. Public hearings closed
item. 25 2026 5, 5, 2, 2,
speaker cards. Jamie Travis
Leonard, who is in the Green
Room. But Below.
>> I and John Jay new
Jacksonville City Council
resolution 2023, 0, 8, 1, 9,
City Council district, 4 cpac,
3 school board district 3. And
this one bring water
management district in on
this. Okay, we're what we're
doing. 5, 2,
>> You know, this is in
neighborhoods, finance, but
but not in rules or waterways.
We're getting ready to get to.
>> Spend 1.6 million from the
general fund. And we're going
to be creating the
Jacksonville Riverfront
Alliance. So I will allow. You
know, and we're just wave and
everything. You know, we're
going to rule out for
direction contract waiving the
provisions advancement. I
mean. So anyway. You and at
this point, you know, I'm just
down to 2 minutes. Well, want
to share with the only real
marketing to the world? And
remember this legislative body
created. Trust funds. And so
rain here with this
legislation, which is part of
the permanent record. I am
making 2 donations. One is the
2026 0, 0, 0, 4, That's the
park's trust fund. The next
one. 2026, 0, 3, 9, 6, That's
the movie trust fund.
Spielberg calmly. You know
that a teen We're redoing it
but and I will bring this up
and donated. So here we have,
we're creating something Saint
Johns River ally. You know, a
pat on boat now. I mean, what
do we need to to do it this
year, creating a whole new
level. And it is. Understand
the 50 some seconds. But
again. You look at. Our
waterways and I will show
anybody when someone says you
think we're getting more act
were getting crushed. And so.
Yeah, 1.6 million. At the very
least. Send it to waterways.
And I hope I can understand
why it. There's people not
lined up to speak to this is
you only get one shot.
Speaking to a piece of
legislation. So in the
meantime, again, we're just
marketing to the world, the
free market. You know, and
just remember Pope Pottsburg
Creek Public Park. It connects
to downtown Jamie Travis
support this bill, but does
not wish to speak.
>> public areas closed. Rez.
Now it's time for public
hearings on land, use
amendments and companion
Rezonings and Matic Cations.
The comp plan beginning on
Page 16. Item 2026. 26 1 to 2.
I have no speaker cards.
>> This public hearings
continued to AUGUST 11, 2026.
>> Item number 27. 26 1, 2, 3,
I have one speaker card,
Samantha Series. Believe she's
in the Green Room. Does not
want speak and opposes this
item.
>> This public hearings
continue to AUGUST 11, 2026.
>> Item 2020. 21. 24 1.25 We
have no speaker cards.
>> These public hearings are
continuing to NOVEMBER 24th
2026.
>> I did have one speaker card
or one. 25 Smith. The series
you does not wish to speak,
but you does oppose it.
>> Reopen the public. I
apologize. We're good. No, I
think I did a double dip.
>> MR. PRESIDENT would
probably be appropriate to
reopen the public hearing to
allow him to announce the
card. So it's on the record
for that hearing. And then
Bree continue it.
>> 2026, 0, 1, 2, 5, this
public hearings open, MR.
PRESIDENT, I do have one
speaker card to MISS Samantha
Series who opposes this
legislation because it does
not wish to speak. Thank you.
This public hearings continue
to NOVEMBER. 24 2026. Item
number 30 2026. 1, 2, 6, I
have one speaker card Samantha
Series who opposes but does
not wish to speak. Public
hearings continued to AUGUST
11, 2026. And item number. 31
2026, 1, 2, 7, Again, Samantha
Series opposes this
legislation. She does wish to
speak, which is not available.
In the Green series of you can
hear me. I have no more
speaker cards. This public
hearings continue to AUGUST
11, 2026. During the page
Item-number. Number. 32 2026.
4 to 2. I have 2 speaker
cards. We'll start with Randy
Baker. Questions on incorrect.
And MISS Series is still
locked up in the green Room so
we will close MR. PRESIDENT,
that's all I have seeing. No
speakers. We will close this
public hearing. Move the item
for 22. We have a motion and
second on the bill
Twenty-twenty 604, to 2.
Seeing no speakers in the
queue. It's open about a
quarter vote.
>> 15 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
2, 2, passes. I'm 33 2026 for
2, 3. I have no speaker cards.
This public areas close to
move the bill. We have a
motion and second on the bill,
no speakers in the queue.
Let's open about a quarter
>> 15 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
2, 3, passes. I'm 34
Twenty-twenty 6, 4, 2, 4, no
speaker cards. This public
areas close the bill. We have
a motion and second on the
bill, no speakers incue open
about a quarter of it.
>> 15 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
2, 4 is approved.
>> Turning the page item
number. 35 on 2026, 4 to 5. I
have no speaker cards. Public
areas close to move the
amendment.
>> We have a motion and the
second on the amendment. No
speakers will take this vote
verbally on favor of the
amendment indicate by saying
aye, all again saying no
amendment passes of the bill
as amended. We have a motion
and second on the bill as
amended. No speakers and q,
let's open the ballot record.
The vote.
>> 15 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
to 5 passes. I'm 36 2026. 4 to
6. I have one Speaker card
brand diesel questions. Only
she supports the bill. Seeing
no questions. This public
areas develop. We have a
motion a second on the bill.
No speakers and about a
quarter vote.
>> 15 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote 2026, 0, 4, to
6 passes item. 37. 26 4 to 7.
I have My question one card
question questions only to
support.
>> Seeing no speakers on the q
this public hearing closed the
bill. We have a motion and
second on the bill. Seeing no
speakers. It's open about a
quarter And a record of it.
>> 15 yeas, 0 nays by your
vote. 2026, 0, 4, to 7 days.
It's going to page 21 item
number. 38 2026. 4 to 8 at 5
speaker cards. The Collier
number ask you to come down to
the front and please be ready
come to the podium. First we
have Jamie Williams. Still
here. You know, you're Graham.
Al Stassi. Larry Stassi. And
Bishop Artie Grant. Whoever
wants to go first, please
identify yourself. Come on up.
>> My name is Jamie Jurors on
and the service director of
social services with the city
Rescue mission in 1995. That
graduated from Robert e Lee
has school now known as
Riverside High School. Having
spent my teenage years in the
Lackawanna, a Riverside
community. I have witnessed
both the strength challenges
that have shaped this
neighborhood over the years in
Begin my career with the city
rescue mission. The same year
the mission purchase to make
death campus. During my
tenure. I have worked all 3 of
our locations at the Restore
as State Street location,
which is called the New Life
Thing. And I think that campus
over the years I have had the
privilege of watching the
organization grow
significantly in the number of
services provided the best
outfit and the lives we've
been impacted as we towards
expanding, I'm Ybeth campus.
Reflect upon when many people
in the surrounding community
were unaware of the services.
We provide it for many years.
The city rescue mission
function as a community within
a community. The mission has
always been a safe haven and a
temporary home for individuals
facing significant life
changes complex barriers
throughout history. We have
worked hard to not be a
nuisance or a burden to the
community. Rather. We have
continue to be a valuable
community resource providing
hope, stability and support
support to those most in need
our policies. Programs and
expectations are got guided,
but grace and compassion,
which is why many of the men
and women we serve come to the
U.S. Staff and I services as
family. The growth of the city
rescue mission as Macbeth
service is truly a win-win for
our community because we're
help. We are helping return
transform men and women to
their families, return them to
their families, workplaces,
churches, and neighborhoods.
Adjective is not limited to
meeting in immediate need.
Rather. We focus on creating
lasting generational change
that produces a positive
impact throughout the
community. Thank you council
for your service to the
community and we appreciate
and pray for your support as
we continue deny that
endeavors. Thank you. Thank
you.
>> Good evening. My name is
Phil. You're Graham address on
recipient. All of the services
of seat off City Rescue
mission. I'm proud and I'm
proud to stand before you
today. As a grad city rescue
mission like program. Okay in
the city rescue mission at a
time when I was tagged along
disappointed in myself because
of choices I made. My drug
addition taking control of my
night life and I knew
something had to change. One
life wasn't always difficult.
In my early years, I was
surrounded by love. And
support my mother on a home
and a neighborhood store
family was, quote, I grew up
in the riverside like a woman
in Brooklyn communities here
in Jacksonville and 10 news
school on the West that life
changing. My older brother got
in trouble. The mother
sacrificed so much trying to
help and suv into the lost her
home in store. Has became
heart and eventually she sent
me to live with a family of
Noah. Because she could no
longer afford to care for me.
Not after that, I was
introduced to drugs from that
point like became a pool
Butler. Poor decisions,
addiction and missed
opportunities. Then I heard
about sea rescue mission. I I
knew it was in the community
because the state like a block
away but coming to the one the
city rescue mission, one of
the best decisions I ever made
here have found more to show
too afoul of found guidance.
Most importantly have found
the show. Do like to this
program? A discipline,
responsibility, accountability
and purpose. I just go down.
Cape will be leader and
positive influence on others.
Most importantly, I learned
that GOD never stopped loving
me today. A live approved.
That change is possible. The
city rescue mission didn't
just help my life. It changed
my story. Thank you. Thank
you, sir. Thank you for
sharing. MR. Brown. Good
evening. I'm local pastor and
the lack of Wana area and
>> personally seen many lives
changed over the years through
this program. So I do have my
full support.
>> MR. Brown MR. Brock, if you
again, just note that your
addresses on file, please.
>> Addresses on file. Thank
you, Sir. Thanks. We have Lori
Stassi.
>> My name is Lori Staff and
my addresses on file. I reside
in Riverside. I would like to
speak on behalf of City Rescue
mission as a volunteer for 10
years. 2 individuals had
spoken in recent concert in
previously about City Rescue
mission. And I would like to
give my perspective. I have
always felt safe on the
mission. Campuses when people
come to the mission for help,
they're ready to comply to the
rules and program
requirements. There's a fence
and security gate to limit
access and to make sure
troublemakers do not come on
campus. When people come in to
the program, they have been
wounded by the world and they
need to feel safe and secure.
It is a very loving family
like Christian environment.
The mission tries to present
well in the community by
keeping their buildings that
recently with a 1 million
Dollar grant, they began a
painting project and
installing new windows. They
keep their ground meat and
landscaped put in several
gardens for the residents to
enjoy. The hope is others in
the community would also keep
up their properties as well.
And we would be good
neighbors. Someone had raised
questions in the past about
increased traffic. Most of the
residents in our programs do
not own cars. They use public
transportation. Gradually as
they get on their feet and get
a job and become responsible
citizens. Some will purchase a
vehicle to aid in their goals
of living a productive life.
We are very proud of those who
accomplish this. But it is a
very limited amount of people
and certainly would not create
traffic jams in the area. But
if that were the case, I would
be extremely thrilled to have
that kind of success of
getting people off the streets
of Jacksonville and back to
living a beautiful life. Every
big city has homeless people
and individuals with drug
addiction and alcohol
problems. I am proud of how
city rescue mission has. 24
hour care so that the streets
around the mission are not
littered with encampments. I
see their work as a service to
the entire population by those
in need by helping those in
need. We have mothers who
would be sleeping in their car
if the mission weren't open.
We had a man who was a
self-proclaimed belligerent
drunk living on the sidewalk
in the West Side. Until
decided to get help. He met
Jesus and it was filled with
joy and he was transformed. We
have individuals who are
working functional alcoholics
until they couldn't keep up
the charade any longer. They
lost their jobs and they came
to us for help. We get people
from all over Jacksonville.
City rescue missions work is
extensive and having the
proper zoning would aid them
and their amazing work. Thank
you for voting. Yes.
>> Thank u next post se. Hi,
Paul. Stasi.
>> Executive Director City
Rescue Mission and address on
file.
>> Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT
members of Jacksonville
Council and everyone here
today in 1946, 3 businessman
in downtown walk the streets
carrying Thermos is of soup,
offering food, compassion and
hope 2 people who had nowhere
else to turn that could never
have imagined that their
simple act of kindness would
become city rescue mission. A
ministry that has faithfully
served Jacksonville for 80
years Today. City Rescue
mission provides meals,
shelter, addiction recovery,
transitional housing workforce
development and medical and
dental care. Every day we see
lives transformed. As you
heard as people move from
homelessness to housing from
addiction to recovery from
unemployment to meaningful
work and from despair to hope.
None of that would happen
without a place where healing
can begin. Today. I'm not
asking for funding. I'm simply
asking for the ability to
better utilize our property at
the mcduff campus, which City
Rescue mission has owned and
operated for nearly 30 years.
This rezoning does not change
who we are or our mission is
simply allows us to Stuart,
our existing campus more
effectively and meet the
growing needs of Jacksonville
for 3 decades. We have work to
be good neighbors. Our campus
is professionally maintain
staffed. 24 hours a day and
committed to being a safe
positive presidents.
Presidents in the Lackawanna
and North Riverside
communities. We believe that's
serving our neighbors also
means being a good neighbor.
Earlier this year, this
council on or city rescue
missions. 80th anniversary
with a resolution sponsored by
COUNCILMAN Johnson recognizing
are decades of service to
Jacksonville. We are deeply
grateful because it affirmed
our partnership that has
existed between the city and
the mission for generations.
We understand that there might
be questions that were raised
through this process and
respect the opportunity for
them but are record stands by
itself. Past performance is
one of the strongest
predictors of future
performance. These years. We
have operated both campuses
responsibly safely and in
partnership with the
community. This rezoning
simply allows us to continue
doing what we've already
demonstrated that we can do
well, we respectfully ask for
your support. So the city
rescue mission can continue
transforming lives,
strengthening families and
serving Jacksonville for
another 80 years. Thank you.
MR. PRESIDENT number speaker
cards, this public areas
closed. I moved the bill. We
have a motion and second on
the bill. No speakers in the
queue. Let's open about a
quarter. But
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
2, 8, passes item number. 39,
40 2020 for 2020, 26, 4, 2, 9,
I have one speaker card.
MISTER Stassi. Paul Stasi,
executive Director City Rescue
Mission address on file again.
Thank you. PRESIDENT Howland
and members of City Council
Jacksonville is facing an
affordable housing crisis.
Everyday City rescue mission
helps people overcome
homelessness addiction.
Another life challenges. But
too often when they're ready
to move forward, they cannot
find housing that's
affordable. We are asking for
your support to build studio
apartments on the Hunt Street
portion of our existing 6 acre
campus along with the other
things that are in this bill.
This is not new for the
mission. It is the next step.
In a proven one for more than
10 years, we have successfully
operated transitional housing
that helps people move from
homelessness to independence.
This project simply creates
more opportunities for people
to have. Who have already done
the hard work of rebuilding
their lives. There MAY be
questions about traffic in
height of the building. The
reality is most of our
residents, as you heard, don't
have vehicles traffic impact
is minimal. And we already
have a 4 story building on our
campus. So this proposal is
consistent with what exists
today and has for years.
Consider what currently lines
the section of Edison Street,
which should be the the
backyard of this section where
we're looking to add
apartments. It's a j. A parcel
of vacant lot. A boarded-up
house, which actually since
the law's committee last week,
I've been in no negotiation
with the owner to purchase
ourselves. And then another
vacant home. That is
reportedly occupied by
squatters. Instead of vacant
properties. And boy, we want
to offer safe, well-managed
housing, attractive,
landscaping and a campus that
continues to serve both its
residents and the surrounding
neighborhood. We are investing
in this community because we
believe it deserves better.
This request is not about
changing who city rescue
mission is. It's about
allowing us to do more. But
what we have faithfully done
for the last 80 years, helping
people move from crisis
stability, dependence to
independence and homelessness
to home. I respectfully ask
for your support of this Bill.
Thank you. It spreads. We have
no more cards in 2026. For
tonight. This public areas
closed, moved the bill. We
have a motion and second on
the bill recognize Ms
Kirchner. Thank you, chair. I
rushed to declare ex parte. It
was deep deep in now.
>> And Paul Stasi beginning on
MARCH 18th that this year and
Stephen, out on JUNE 25th of
this year. Are discussion was
primarily what the applicant
wanted to do in regards to
zoning change and which which
was primarily to bring all of
the parcels and buildings
under one zoning. And that has
been filed with legislative
services. Additionally, I met
with the Laney and Paul Stasi
on JUNE. 16th. At the North
Riverside Community Center
doing there neighborhood
meeting and once again, they
explain the reason for the
zoning. The proposed
construction for the Syrians,
vision for the next 20 years.
Lastly, I met with Robert Free
Lake on JUNE 23rd here at City
Council and he just expressed
his concerns in regards to the
rezoning and all of this has
been filed with legislative
services. Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you,
ma'am. We have no other
speakers in the queue. We have
a motion and second on the
bill open about a quarter
vote.
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays by your
vote. 2026 0. 49 is approved.
>> now page number. 22 items
number 40 41 2026. 4.30, for
31. I have no speaker cards.
>> These public hearings are
continued to AUGUST 11, 2026.
>> Item number 40 to 2026, 4,
3, 2, I have 2 speaker cards.
Questions only Travis. Our jv
travel. And Jamie Travis
Leonard supports and Christian
Re questions on She supports
as well. No speakers in the
queue. This public areas close
to move the We have a motion
and second on the bill.
>> No speakers about a quarter
of
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote. 2026, 0, 4,
3, 2 passes 23 on its number.
43 2026. 0, 4, 3, 3, I've 2
speaker cards. Jamie Travis
Leonard, who wants to speak on
this. And Kristen Reed
questions only supports the
bill. This letter.
>> Good evening. City
COUNCILMAN Is Jamey madrassas
about. I'll be quick for this.
I do support this ordinance.
Earliest wanted to come up.
And say that I appreciated the
developer and the owner and
how planning and really
community thought they put
into this proposal. I was at
they'll use the meeting where
it was presented and you could
really tell that they. Took
into account not only their
needs, but also the needs of
the community around them and
how what they're proposing
could impact that community. I
hope to see more proposals
like this where they really
are working with us to ensure
that what they're giving us
not only meets their needs,
uplift the community, but also
is in conjunction with the
area. They're in versus what
we are seeing more and more
where there is friction
between developers and the
community at large. Thank you.
>> And Nomar speaker cards
this public hearing is closed.
I'm 44 2026, 4, 7, 5, I
actually we have a I'm sorry,
move the amendment.
>> We have motion and second
on the amendment, seeing those
speakers in the queue will
take the vote fairly all in
favor of the amendment
indicate by saying Aye, again
saying No, the amendment
passes move the bill as
amended. We have a motion and
second on the bill as amended.
No speakers incudes open about
a quarter
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays by your
vote. 2026, 0, 4, 3, 3, is
approved. Item number. 44,
2026, 4, 7, 5, 1, 1, speaker
card, Samantha Series.
Questions only comment know
could not does not wish to
speak, but does oppose. I see
no speakers for questions.
This public hearing is closed
actually additional public
hearing. We held on AUGUST 11,
2026. Item number. 45.0? 26 4,
7, 6, I have no speaker cards.
Public hearings close. An
additional public hearing will
be held AUGUST 11, 2026. We
started taking up items. 46 47
moving on now to item number.
48 2026, 4, 7, 9, I have 3
speaker cards. I believe this.
Rags. Charlene Corbett, altar.
>> And Trevor Peters all do
not wish to speak.
>> All support. This public
hearing closed. An additional
public we've held held on
AUGUST. 11th 2026. Items.
Number 4, 49 2026 do I have?
>> The same 3 folks. Simon
Ross. So Ron Corbett.
>> Walker and Trevor Peters do
not wish to speak. But do you
support this bill? This public
areas close an additional
public. It will be held
AUGUST. 11th 2026.
>> Items number 15. 51. I can
do that. Yes, 2026. 41 42. I
have no speaker cards. These
public hearings are close.
Additional public hearings
will be held on AUGUST. 11th
2026.
>> As it happens, MR.
PRESIDENT there there are no
3rd reading resolutions today
as we move on to the ordinance
is beginning on page. 26 for
members of our audience, these
bills of r d at the public
hearings with a final
committee. Parts are now ready
for full council action. Our
first item is number 52 2026.
3, 1, 9, I move the amendment.
>> We have a motion and second
on the amendment. We have no
speakers in the queue. Let's
vote early all in favor of the
amendment indicate by saying
Aye, aye, all again. The
amendment passes bill as
amended. We have a motion and
second on the bill as amended.
Those speakers in the Open
about a quarter vote.
>> 17 yeas, 0 Your vote. 2026,
0, 3, 1, 9, passes.
>> on page. 23. I'm 53. 2023
2026, 4, 4, 5, and with the
amendment.
>> We have a motion and second
on the amendment. No speakers
in the queue. Let's vote early
on favor indicate by saying
aye again saying no amendment
passes.
>> I moved the bill as amended
requires that regards a
two-thirds vote.
>> We have a motion and second
on the bill as amended. No
speakers in the queue. Let's
open about record votes.
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
4, 5, passes. Item number 50
for 2026, 4, 4, 8, move. The
amendment.
>> We have a motion and second
on the amendment, seeing no
speakers in the queue. Let's
vote early on favor indicate
by saying Aye, again saying
bill as amended, we have a
motion a second on the bill as
amended. No speakers. It's
open the ballot for the vote.
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
4, 8, passes. Moving on now to
page. 28 item number. 55,
2026, 4, 4, 9, and move the
amendment.
>> We have a motion and second
on the amendment. No speakers
in the queue of overly all in
favor of the amendment
indicate by saying Aye, aye,
all again saying no.
>> The amendment passes move
the bill as amended. We have a
motion a second on the bill as
amended open about, of course,
about.
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
4, 9, passes.
>> Item number 56, 2026. 0. 49
believe there's a motion a
floor amendment. Her Sunday.
There is a me a call on Mr So
please.
>> Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT.
I'm going to move to withdraw
this bill. I believe that
through some of the
conversations that we've had
in committee seems like
there's a little bit of a
disagreement about the purpose
of this bill is in process has
been the hrc. Happy to come
back with a better bill later
on. So move to withdraw. We
have a motion and the second
to withdraw Twenty-twenty 6,
0, 4, 8, 9, and everyone
you're getting a floor mat and
that's for a bill to from now.
So the motion here on the
table is to withdraw. Nothing
to do with the floor You're
getting seeing those speakers
on the queue. Let's open the
ballot and record your vote.
Yes, is a withdrawal.
>> Welcome back.
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your action, 2026, 0, 4,
8, 9 is withdrawn.
>> Item number 57 on Page. 29
2026, 4, 9, 0, move the
Amendment.
>> We have a motion and second
on the amendment. We'll take
this vote verbally all in
favor of the amendment
indicate by saying Aye, again
saying No, the amendment
passes the bill as amended. We
have a motion second on the
bill as amended before we
vote. All recognize
mistreatment. To the chair to
out of abundance caution.
>> I work at the Clara White
Mission in. My staff MAY be
partnering with someone that
MAY be receiving this. So I
just want to make sure
paperwork is already been.
Signed and submitted. Thank
you. Thank you. MISS A
payment. No other speakers in
the queue.
>> We have a motion and the
second on the bill as amended
its open them out the
courtroom.
>> 16 yeas, 0 nays. One
abstention.
>> By your vote. 2026, 0, 4,
4, 9, 0, passes. Before we
move on Pittman, you just want
to say for the record that you
abstain from the amendment as
well.
>> Chair I was supposed to do
that on 58 instead of 57. So I
do apologize.
>> Okay. Well, you just
abstain. You don't want to
reopen the voting. I do. Or do
Would you like to reopen need
to do? We? Learn lets, you
know, letting kids from Mary
what you think I should do.
Apologize. Yap stand on the
wrong going at on 57 instead
of 58. I apologize. All right.
No problem gives a second
area. See if you have to vote
on.
Out of abundance of
caution, we could just move to
reconsider.
>> Through the PRESIDENT To
Councilmember Pittman, this is
for the Home Investment
partnership Don't believe that
you have traditionally And
that's what I said at my
recommendation, MR. PRESIDENT
of says if somebody who was
thank you and we can then take
a vote on the reconsideration,
assuming it passes, you would
just need to move in second
the Mariners your time and
just move to reconsider.
Twenty-twenty 6, 0, 4, 9, 0,
And I heard a second from Dr
Johnson. So we have a motion.
>> Now let's and 10 entertain
a but mostly Rican voter.
We've over Leon, the
reconsideration. Yep. So we'll
take a verbal vote on them
motion to reconsider all in
favor indicate by saying Aye,
again same know the motion to
reconsider passes and MR.
Floor leader with Young case
around. Let's go ahead and
move the amendment on 2026, 4,
9, 0,
>> All right. We have a motion
a second on the amendments,
take the vote verbally on
favor of the amendment
indicate by saying Aye again
saying No. The amendment
passes now moved the bill as
amended. We have a motion and
the second on the bill as
amended. Seeing no speakers
incue. It's open to the ballot
Cordova.
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
9, 0, passes. Item number 50,
a twenty-twenty 6 for 9, I was
under recognized misspent.
Yes, sir. Thank you all.
Recognize COUNCILWOMAN Pittman
on 2026, 0, 4, 9, 1, please.
>> Thank you, CHAIRMAN The
right one. I'd like to abstain
from 4.91 due to me working at
the Clara White Mission and
some of the staff MAY apply
with the partnership. But
another to say thank you.
>> Thank you, ma'am. All
turned to MR. Carrico. Former
Council isn't here thank you,
MR. PRESIDENT I rise to
abstain from this legislation
out of an abundance of caution
as my employer, the boys,
girls clubs of Northeast
Florida has received cdbg
grants in the past and see
them. The future actually not
listed as recipient of these
funds, but I just feel name of
transparency in caution tape
saying for many cdbg
legislation. So I will be of
saying thank you. Thank you,
sir. And now I will recognize
council incluso. Thank you,
MR. PRESIDENT like to offer a
floor amendment. I'm going to
have missed a populous.
Explain if you'd like.
>> Thank you. Through the
PRESIDENT Of the council. So
the Floor amendment
encompasses the committee
amendment which is listed on
the blue sheet, but it adds a
couple of additional technical
corrections for the bill and
attaches a revised exhibit
one, which is the bt to
correct the revenue and
expense amount for sidewalks
to 500,000 and correct. The
revenue and expense amount for
the Edward Waters University
Project to $200,000 and
changes that expense account
code code. It also attaches a
second revised exhibit 2,
which is the schedules of
funding to correct the amounts
and remove the Edward Waters
University project from the
included in Cip category to
the not included in Cip
category on page 2 of the
schedules. Just want to get a
second on that. If you haven't
already missed, I heard a
second. Anything else, MR.
Putin.
>> All right. We have a motion
and second on the floor
amendment before we take a
vote on Doctor Salem,
recognized.
>> Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT
just heard Ed Waters
University mention a couple of
times. So they on board with
these changes just to make
sure.
>> Through the chair to
Councilmember Salem and I I
will let this river MISTER
Peterson, correct me if I'm
wrong. But I think the issue
was there was a believe at the
time that with the bill as
originally filed, that they
were on the project was going
to be on city-owned property
and it's not city on property.
It's private property. So it
can't be listed under our cip.
So I let MISS Revert address
any additional detail for
that. MISTER, recognized.
>> Through the chair to
Councilmember Salem, yes, we
had to remove it from the cip
because it's not city-owned
property. So that's why we're
moving it into the other
category of non Cip project.
>> So it really has no impact
upon.
>> It has no impact. It's the
same dollar amount that they
were going to receive.
>> Previously, thank you so
much all right, MR. Layden
here. Okay. Donna McHugh.
>> Great. Then we have motion
a second on the floor
amendment will take this vote
verbally on favor of the flu.
So floor amendment indicate by
saying again saying No,
amendment passes.
>> bill as amended. We have a
motion and second on the bill
as amended. No speakers in the
queue. Let's open the ballot,
of course of
>> 16 yeas, 0 nays. 2
abstentions.
>> By your vote. 2026, 0, 4,
9, one passes. Moving on to
page 30 item number, 59, 2026,
4, 9, 2, move the amendment.
We have a motion and second on
the amendment.
>> No speakers in the queue.
Let's take this vote fairly
all in favor of the amendment
indicate by saying Aye, again
say no. The amendment passes
move the bill as amended. We
have a motion and second on
the bill as amended. There are
no speakers. It's open about
equipment. You're not as we.
>> Your invasive.
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
9, 2, passes. Thank you, MR.
PRESIDENT. Didn't want to get
in the weeds on that one. When
I had to had to say. But at
the
>> That was an invasive and of
noxious like it. 60 2026, 4,
9, with the amendment.
>> We have a motion in second
on the amendment. No speakers
will take this vote all in
favor of the amendment
indicate by saying Aye, I
again say no amendment passes.
>> The bill as amended
requiring it to 3 vote.
>> We have a motion and second
on the bill as amended. No
speakers. It's open about
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> And by your vote, 2026, 0,
4, 9, 3, s page number. 31
item, 61, 2026, 4, 9, 4, move
the amendment.
>> We have a motion a second
on the amendment. No speakers
in the queue was overly all in
favor of the amendment
indicate by saying Aye, I
again say no. The amendment
passed some of the bill as
amended a motion a second on
the bill as amended. No
speakers that's open them out
of court.
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
9, 4, passes. Item. 62
Twenty-twenty 6, 4, 9, 5, I
move the amendment.
>> We have a motion a second
on the amendment. Before we
move on, did we located? We're
back on 62. All right. We have
a motion and second on the
Amendment. Twenty-twenty 6, 0,
4, 9, 5, We have MR. Diamond,
before you on the amendment.
You want to speak back on
2026, 0, 4, 9, 4. Come on.
Well, we have a motion
compass. Is a comment. Okay?
It's going yet. No. I just
wanted to thank Eric Tucker
for our work and all this ada
compliance up which has been
the entire department over
there. They've done really
good work and if you all, she?
She lost her dad a month ago.
Austin mom, 6 months ago when
she still soldiering on
helping literally anyone in
the city whose who has a new
challenges. And so, you know,
I just want to send all are
allowed to care as she's
literally at work today after
all this stuff, thank you, MR.
Down. All right. We have a
motion a second on the
amendment for 2026, 0, 4, 9,
5, no speakers on the q. Let's
take this vote verbally all in
favor of the amendment
indicate by saying aye again,
say no. Amendment passes the
bill as amended. We have a
motion and second on the bill
as amended. There are no
speakers that's open about the
court.
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 4,
9, 5, passes.
>> Turn to page. 32 item
number 63. 26 4, 9, 7, before
I move the amendment. I think
we need to recognize
Councilmember Pat MISS
Pittman. You are recognized.
To the again at light to
abstain from this one in the
next one.
>> I am employed at the Clara
White Mission in some of my
staff. Maybe applied in
partnership with another
agency in providing service to
individuals with 8. Thank you.
And the paperwork has been
signed. Thank you, ma'am.
>> No other ex parte Taser
exemptions just for clarity as
she is standing only on 4, 9,
7 right now, only 4, 0, 4, 9,
7, With the amendment.
>> We have a motion and second
on the amendment. No speakers.
Let's take this vote virtually
all in favor of the amendment
indicate by saying Aye. Again,
say no, the amendment passes
as amended. We have a motion
and second on the bill as
amended, no speakers. Let's
open about a quarter of
>> 16 yeas, 0 nays. One
abstention.
>> By your vote. 2026, 0, 4,
9, 7, passes. I care for 2026,
4, 9, 8, move the amendment.
We have a motion and the
second on the amendments, no
speakers in the queue. Let's
take this vote. Probably all
in favor of the amendment
indicate by saying Aye, I
again say no. The amendment
passes the bill as amended it.
We have a motion a second on
the bill as amended. No
speakers in the queue. So put
them out of court. A vote.
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote. 2026, 0, 4,
9, 9, 8, passes.
>> page. 33 item number 65
Twenty-twenty. 6, 4, 9, 9,
this time. I think we do
Recognize councilmember
pavement.
>> Misfit when you're
recognized. How much show
tonight? Again, I'd like
abstain because the Clara
White missions serve clients
and we've already submitted
the paperwork for this. And
thank you. Thank you know,
Nelson que.
>> Move with the amendment.
>> We have a motion a second
on the amendment. No one's on
the q. Let's take this vote
verbally all in favor of the
amendment indicate by saying
Aye, I again say know in the
past.
>> Moved the bill as amended.
We have a motion and second on
the bill as amended. No
speakers in the queue it up in
about a quarter of
>> 17 yeas, 0 nays. One
abstention.
>> By your vote 2026, 0, 4, 9,
9, passes. This PRESIDENT. We
have 5 resolutions and
ordinances are in second
reading and 10 ordinance on
second reading.
>> Although none of these
items will be taking up. 71 to
my colleagues, there is an
opportunity for public
participation regarding for
the resolutions, MR. Taylor,
would you please read the
Bills?
>> 2026. 5. 44 5. 45 5? 46. 5.
47 5.48 5. 23. 5. 24 5. 25 5.
26 5. 27 5. 28 5. 29 5, 35. 31
5.32 given. We have no public
participate. Can patient
cards, participation cards.
>> We now move on to the
introduction first reading
resolution to Norges
ordinances beginning on page.
38 starting with item number
anyone. 2026? 500. There are
no public participation car.
So I move the emergency.
>> We have a motion and second
on the emergency. Seeing no
speakers in the queue will
take this vote virtually all
in favor of the emergency
indicate by saying Aye, I
again say no emergency passes.
>> Again, I should note
they're no cards for this one.
So I will move the bill as an
emergency.
>> We have a motion and the
second on the bill as an
emergency. And I believe at
this point, MR. Petersen, you
would like to. We did. You you
would like to speak.
>> Through the present to the
council so that this bill has
moved is an emergency tonight
to notify the property
appraiser by AUGUST 4th of the
city's rollback rate. The
proposed millage rates for the
upcoming budget which are
staying the same as last
year's council approve rates.
And then also the SEPTEMBER
8th public hearing that will
occur where the public will
get to come and talk to you
about the mileage rates. This
just as I said, keep the rates
the same as last year. It does
set the high water mark for
the mileage rates for the
proposed years. So from this
point forward Finance
Committee and the council can
lower the millage rate. But
after tonight, it's nearly
impossible to raise the
mileage rate above what you
approve tonight.
>> All right. Thank you, MR.
Petersen. So we have a motion
and second on the bill as an
emergency, we have no other
speakers in the queue. Let's
open about, of course.
>> 17 yeas, one nay.
>> By your vote. 2026, 0, 5,
0, 0 is approved.
>> All right. Now moving on
now to page. 39 item number 87
Twenty-twenty 6, 5, 9, 6. I
move the emergency. We have a
motion and a second on the
emergency. Seeing no one in
the queue. Let's take this
vote verbally all in favor of
emergency indicate by saying
Aye.
>> I again say emergency
passes. Move the bill as an
emergency.
>> I have no Does this one
other than mine? I suspect MR.
Sheriff, I'm Mike. Before we
take a vote on this one, I
just want to make a comment. I
really appreciate this is my
7th year serving on the
canvassing board. I can tell
you there's more important job
that I've had during my tenure
on the council. Somewhat
disconcerting to we had logic
and accuracy test last Friday.
It was learned at that point
in time that the number of
mail-in ballots has dropped
dramatically. I'm concerned
about the prospect of that. I
want to constituents out there
the due diligence that I and
the other members of the
canvassing in coming over
those balances. The if it's a
matter of convenience for you,
it's also a matter of
importance that you take the
time to vote and do so by
ballot is still viable way to
work. So thank you, MR.
>> Do we have motion on the
bill as emergency with the
second? We do, we do. All
right with the motion and
second on the bills, emergency
on the table and no other
speakers that's open about a
quarter point.
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote approve
Twenty-twenty 6, 0, 5, 9, 6,
page, 40 item. 91 2026. 600
movie emergency.
>> We have a motion a second
on the emergency. No speakers.
Let's take this vote early on
favor of the emergency
indicate by saying Aye, again
saying no emergency passes.
>> And no public participation
cards on this. Once I move it
as an emergency.
>> We have a motion and second
on the bill as an emergency.
No speakers and soak in the
Valley court vote.
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By a vote. 2026, 0, 6, 0,
0, passes.
>> Moving on now to number. 98
on page. 41 2026. 607. A move.
The emergency.
>> We have a motion a second
on the emergency. No speakers
was vote verbally all in favor
of the emergency indicate by
saying Aye, aye again saying
no passes.
>> I moved. I have no public
participation cards on this.
Once I moved emergency.
>> We have a motion a second
on the bill as an emergency.
No speakers that's open about
a quarter of a
>> some people when 16.
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote. 2026, 0, 6,
0, 7, passes present. There
are 2 first reading ordinance
ordinances to be taking up
this evening. The first can be
found Page. 53 on a number.
>> One, 36 2026, 5, 6, 8, Move
the emergency.
>> All right. We have a motion
and a second on the emergency.
Again, it's item number one.
36 2026, 0, 5, 6, 8, You'll
find it on Page. 53. I have no
speakers on the emergency will
take the vote verbally all in
favor of the emergency
indicate by saying Aye, again
saying no mercy passes.
>> I have no participation
guards and this one. We will
go ahead and move it as an
emergency.
>> We have a motion and second
on the bill as an emergency.
Mary, would you mind just
explaining what this bill
>> Yes, thank you. Through the
PRESIDENT To the council. So
this legislation would
reschedule the Finance
Committee Tu use e committee
meetings that are regularly
scheduled for Tuesday. AUGUST
18th 2 Wednesday, AUGUST 19th.
Has the 18th is the date of
the primary election and it
will also rescheduled the
finance to you. And use
committee meetings of Tuesday,
NOVEMBER 3rd, 2 Wednesday,
NOVEMBER 4th, so that the
general election, which occurs
on the 3rd can be observed by
individuals who might want to
attend to that versus
attending Count Council
committee meeting. So this is
an adjustment that the council
makes with the with the
election dates fall on
committee or council days. So
it's in keeping with past
practice of the city Council.
>> Thank you, Mary. And
there's a companion bill or a
related bill running through
that schedules. Reschedules
meetings for MAY of next year.
As I understand
>> Yes, MISTER PRESIDENT, that
one was not done as an
emergency, but there is a bill
item one. 37 on the agenda
that would reschedule finance
to eu and land use and zoning
on that are currently
scheduled for Tuesday. MAY
18th to Wednesday MAY 19th in
observance of the election
date that would occur on MAY
18th. And it also just
acknowledges the council rules
already provide that when a
regular meeting of the council
occurs on Election Day that
that is an automatic
rescheduling to the next day.
So while the bill doesn't
accomplish that because the
rules would automatically do
that, it does acknowledge that
of another opportunity through
this legislation want to get
noticed that the public be
made aware of that additional
change.
>> Thank you very much. We
have a motion and the second
on the bill is an emergency. I
see no speakers that's open
about, course. But
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By your vote, 2026, 0, 5,
6, 8,
>> present before we move on
to the agenda item number 1,
5, 9 on page, 63, 2026, 5, 9,
1, happens to be a duplicate
of Bill item. Number 14, 2026
0, 5, 4, in order to dispose
of the duplication. I move
that we withdraw Twenty-twenty
6, 5, 9, 1, and I need a
second.
>> We have a motion and the
second to a draw 2026. 0, 5,
9, As you said, it is
duplicative. There's a bill
that is exactly the same
earlier on the agenda. I see
no speakers in the queue.
Let's open the ballot and
record your vote to a draw.
>> 18 yeas, 0 nays.
>> By Euro Twenty-twenty 6, 0,
5, 9, one is withdrawn. This
present. We have 2 additional
items to that and I move the
We have a motion and second on
the addendum. This is also a
voice vote. All in favor of
hearing the and approving the
and indicate by saying Aye, I
again say no. The addendum
passes item number one, 60
pursuant to council 4.1, 0, 0,
1,
>> We now take up the matter
of the mayor's veto of
ordinance 2025 8, 7, 2, I move
it. Be prove approved. Not
withstanding the veto of the
mayor.
>> All right. We have a
motion. And second, the floor
leaders motion is to approve
ordinance 2025, 0, 8, 7, 2,
notwithstanding the veto of
the mayor which has been in.
Of course, that's been
seconded. The question posed
to everyone tonight for
consideration is as follows.
Quote, Shell ordinance 2025 0,
8, 7, to be adopted and become
effective. Not withstanding
the veto of the mayor. We'll
open up the floor to for
debate in the queues lining
up. MR. Your first. Thank you,
MR. PRESIDENT, thank you for
recognizing me. First. I want
to clarify voting no on this.
>> Basically supports the
mayor and ensures that this
fetal remains MR. Papa skews
clarifies the voting no. Is
the right thing to do.
Correct?
>> I MR. PRESIDENT, would you
like me to address that?
Please do. Okay. So the motion
on the floor is to approve
ordinance 2025 8, 7, 2,
notwithstanding the veto of
the mayor. So if you pressed
Green or yes, that is a vote
to override the veto of the
mayor and approved the
ordinance. If you press and
read or no, that is a vote to
sustain the mayor's veto and
defeat ordinance 2025 8, 7, 2,
>> Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT,
thank you, MR. Populous. I
mean, we've had this debate
numerous times. Let's just get
out of here this evening. Vote
no vote no on this stupid
process. We actually really
shouldn't be here. But
regardless of why we are vote
now. Thank you. Thank you,
sir. Recognize DR. Salem.
Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I'll
just make a few points. Some
of which made before MR.
Packer indicated when we first
got into this, you want to get
this right.
>> I entertained several past
General counsel's to talk to
him as well pass experts in
our government. They convinced
him that we have the authority
to make appointments to these
to these boards. That had been
the policy. For 55 years in
this city. Up until when Mayor
De gun came in Mr, Faculty
became the general counsel.
This is nothing new. And I
want to make emphasize that
point why these 2 boards kha,
as I've said before, there are
all sorts of issues with k j
their budget approaches
60 million dollars. We should
have been put into those more
positions. The library board
again, 40 plus million
dollars. We should have
appointments to that board.
This. This bill respects the
strong mayor will form of our
government. We get 3 on Kha
and on the library board.
Those appointments occur as
people come off the board.
This in no way, shape or form
disrupts those boards or
anything similar to that. The
council present were only get
an appointment as people come
off those boards. Couple of
things that I've heard
discussed or taking power away
from the mayor. This mayor.
This bill isn't just for the
next year while Mayor de get
as mayor, this bill goes on
past that. It goes past my
tenure on this council. This
is a permanent change to these
boards. Its the question is,
should the city council have a
point to boards? We have the
authority. We voted for this
it past. Now we have to
override this veto to want to
maintain that. We are cold. We
are a co-equal branch of this
government and I feel strongly
we should have these
appointments. This bill is
similar to the Downtown
Investment Authority iaa. Our
PRESIDENT Has an appointment
to the bia board that he has
because that board is shared.
He will get those who will
have that appointment coming
up. So in summary, this bill
is not disruptive. It is
consistent with this
government. For the past 55
years, other than the last 3,
i believe we should have
appointments to this board as
we do with iea. And I
encourage you to vote yes on
this ordinance. Thank you.
Thank you. Doctor Salem over
to counsel I think MR.
PRESIDENT Counselor Salem
touched on the budget. Like I
said up with this kind the
first time, that was my
biggest motivation for voting.
Yes on this because I do want
us to have more input on this.
>> If you go back just 4
years, cages, budget has going
from 35 to 65. That's 86% for
years. Public safety, which I
think we all agree should be
the largest part of growing
government. Public safety is
going up. 41 1%. In fact, kj
had grown at the same rate of
public safety, their budget
would have been a 50 million
instead of 65 million this
past year. So I do want to
make sure we have some sort of
input on who were a point to
this board because the reality
is we're going to board
members that neither do more
with the same amount of money
or potentially do the same
with the less amount of money.
So I want to make sure we are
able that and put people that
we think are going to the best
and make the best use of the
money that kha gets all be a
yes on this again tonight.
Thank you, sir. Or to council
in Boyle. Thank you, MR.
PRESIDENT, I appreciate the
comments of Councilmember
Salem and and lane in on this.
But I wish Councilmember mayor
was here.
>> You know, if any quo trying
to fix it. We do have control.
We do have control. At the end
of the day, we see up or down
on on these appointment. So we
do have that control and the
questions and concerns with
respect to kj particular,
certainly we can make clear
our intent to see this managed
better or well if it isn't
already and to put people in
place in order to do that, you
know, many of you MAY know
this, but I put out biweekly
email after the city council
meetings and then that talk
about the area's bills and why
supported them or didn't. One
night and it goes talked about
5,000 constituents. And so I
used as a pretty good
barometer as to whether or not
items like these are important
to my constituents. I got one
response to it. He was
supportive of my vote against
this bill. The last time it
came around. People looking at
this is something that's not
critical. It's this is inside
baseball. And if we've got the
the opportunity to say up or
down on any of these
appointments, we have all the
power we need to make sure
these boards are properly
populated. And so I need see
no need to do this. And for
the record not doing this
because it gets me out of done
this 5 years ago and
COUNCILMAN Mayor Curry wasn't
who is in place. It doesn't
make sense to me that we you
want to make changes to kind
of boys you might recall kj
when it was established. This
assistant upon Mayor Curry
that he have all the
appointments in that process
and we did. Was not challenge
that that what MAY be his
challenge, but it didn't
happen that way. They broke.
Don't fix it. Let's leave this
thing alone and move on and
deal with the things people
care about. Thank you, MR.
PRESIDENT. Thank you, sir.
Over to MISS Clark. Mary.
Thank you. Chair. This bill by
its nature is disruptive. So
talk with previous council
members often about the
history behind bills and so
mayor Austin was the first to
basically establish to
Children's Commission, which
is very similar to this. And
so he had the wisdom to say
that.
>> As a mayor, there was a
certain amount of power he
didn't want to have in regards
to the financial aspect
because he thought that this
could create a problem in
without too. Just power but
nature, correct? And then
absolute power corrupts
absolutely. So he maintain the
idea that. You the mayor gets
to recommend and then the
council approves and them
going on. We're Delaney. Not
exactly sure. But I remember
that I would say that I
remember that being the most
productive use of this city.
And I was a young, younger
person. Then. But then Payton
had the Jacksonville journey
and cap the appointment as big
the same. Then going on to
Brown. Not exactly sure. But
just going and just kind of
piggybacking on what you said.
Councilmember Boylan. Mayor
Curry. At the inclination to
keep the same type of
structure. I'm not sure
exactly why it needs to be
changed, but it doesn't. This
current mayoral
administration. Being able to
a point. And recommend purses
to the board doesn't diminish
our power. And it's been said
before that it doesn't. It
doesn't. And it creates a
balance. And once again, I go
back to the information that I
received in regards to Austin.
And that was the fact that he
thought about the fact that at
this point cages with which is
what the bill or this
particular organization became
under Mayor Curry, the amount
of money that goes into that
board is very enticing. And
so. Having this particular
structure where you have the
mayor to recommend and we
approve is a balance way too,
on this board. And once again,
let's think about our
perception. Not just our
perception but how we are
perceived by this county by
the people. Do we want to keep
that or maintain or help to
further that perception by
changing the structure of this
board? And of course, I don't
think that any of us thought
that the man would approve it
or sign it. Certainly she
shouldn't. And whether it's a
female mayor, Bill Mayor,
Democrat, Republican, once
again, the structure of the
board isn't broken. And it
doesn't need to be fixed.
Thank you. Chair. Thank you,
ma'am. Over to counsel
Mueller. Thank you, MR.
PRESIDENT to the PRESIDENT,
I'd like to take a slightly
different approach
>> thankfully, the auditors
and researchers help me with
this. But I just want to take
actual approach on the past
and the current situation with
our boards and commissions.
And so by the numbers, you
know, I heard the comments I
down vote. So that's that's
enough for us to have. The
implication was and also mayor
recommends the council
approves. But the facts of our
current boards and commissions
don't support that. We have 52
boards and commissions. And of
those 50 2.35 Have multiple
individuals nominating. Or
appointing, even though we we
actually come from this body
does. But 35 of the 52 current
boards and commissions are at
least Dooley and in some
cases, 3 different individuals
with different organizations.
Give nominations for those
boards. Of those boards. The
mayor appoints. 10 solely. The
city Council appoints 4
solely. And the mayor and the
council appointed jointly 12.
We're not doing something here
that I think. Has already been
down. Obviously it has by the
numbers. And does that
diminish someone's power? I
don't think so. And and from
my past as inspector general
and commander many
organizations, I'm always
looking for ways to make
things better. I personally
believe after doing this
research looking through this
and sitting on. The library
board as a liaison. I believe
a better representation
throughout our city. Is
achieved. When you have
multiple individuals
appointing like, for instance,
Mandarin has somebody really
would be great on one of these
boards instead of having one
person, the administration and
mayor to go to when there's an
opening. If this is approved,
we can go to one of our
colleagues in this case, our
colleague council PRESIDENT,
how or whoever comes after
him. And I believe having
those options is a good thing
and you get into more more
diverse board makeup by each
of you in your districts,
especially being able to
recruit and bring someone to
the table to represent your
your library's new board
saying on kids so. I just see
this as as a positive way to
improve the overall process
and systems. Thank you, MR.
PRESIDENT, thank you, sir.
Over to counsel and I'm. There
is no one in the queue. We
have a motion a second to call
the question. I don't see you
in there. Yeah, it's doesn't
matter. It isn't debatable.
Weather in the queue or The
question has been called the
motion to call. The questions
remain. So we will take this
vote by hand on calling the
question all in favor of the
motion to call the question
indicate by raising your hand.
The motion to call the
question fails. MISTER
Carlucci recognized.
>> I suppose by like goes off,
it just gets tired of being on
so long. We are co-equal,
perhaps this council has
different responsibilities in
the administration. We are the
checks and balances. The
branch that makes most of the
appointments. We did that one
time on the library board. We
did not appoint somebody that
was up probably should have
been appointed. I think this
is. I only know what brought
this up. I think I do. But I
don't want to venture into
that. But this is this is just
a a problem that came up that
somebody invented. Decided we
needed more power. Grab.
Checks and balances. We're mad
Sony and type of government.
We're government were. The
mayor is a part of the
council. Mayors on the other
side of the building,
administrative executive. We
are the checks and balances. I
understand what COUNCILMAN
Miller said that we do make
some appointments. But I don't
think that's reason to
suddenly start grabbing up
more. And I think some of
those appointments are at a
lesser level. At same time.
And some of those points are
opponents of the council made
in terms of creating certain
commissions like the true
commissions so forth. Folks,
every time we start messing
with this kind of thing.
Messing with. Our consolidated
government. And that's what
bothers me. We keep chipping
away at it. This is part of
some just what it is. Are,
know, with the votes going to
But as partisan for for most
of us, not everybody that
there's some folks here. I
think, Jim, with the bully
that that we should change it.
But by and large, I think this
is a partisan effort. For
grab. What reason what is the
problem? We're solving here.
Nothing. And frankly, I think
many times the mayor's
position better to make
appointments to matter who the
mayor is. Because the mayor
has a broad reach across this
community. Just because of the
executive position that she or
he holes. Pray that you vote
to sustain the time.
>> Thank you, sir. There no
other a hand, the gavel to the
vice PRESIDENT. Recognize me,
sir. Council, PRESIDENT Allen,
you're recognized. Thank you,
MR. Vice-PRESIDENT I did not
get a chance to vote on this
bill in committee when it went
through because I was only on
finance committee and this
went through neighborhoods and
rules. I would have voted yes.
Been all vote. Yes. Tonight,
handful of reasons like
counsel Mueller said I don't
think it's unprecedented. I
don't think it's unreasonable
COUNCILMAN Lane and said I
think we have an opportunity
to exert more control on a
large chunk of the operating
budget. And then finally, as
COUNCILMAN.
>> Salem said. Emphasizing
that it's not unreasonable,
you see is ruled. It's
allowable. The executive
branch maintains a majority on
both of these boards and we
only get to nominate one as
someone rolls off. So with
estimate, thanks. COUNCILMAN
Freeman, you're recognized
followed by council in
Carrick. Thank you, MR.
PRESIDENT and I really wanted
to hear my colleagues speak on
this one.
>> If anybody knows me, you
know that I love serving kids
and that is the reason solely
that I am sitting in this seat
and we'll continue to try to
pursue the efforts to make his
last better. But there are few
things that I do want to share
regarding this bill. One I
heard we talk about the growth
of kj. I know that I'm guilty
as a council person of.
Putting forward what I think
is good policy that lands in
the lap of kj. And so I think
that their budget sometimes
seems to grow because of the
work, the good work that we do
as a body. I did serve on the
cage a board and I was one of
the original members of the
Jacksonville Journey Oversight
Committee. That's what it was
originally an at that time. It
was council member Ronnie. Who
appointed That was back in
2008. Prior to the change.
When I came on the council
shortly when the last the
class before came on and they
switch to kj. But I do want to
share this. I don't think this
is partisan. And I don't make
my decisions. We kids based
off of a party affiliation. I
understand what party
affiliation lies in the U.S. I
based everything off of common
sense. I base it off of what
damage is going to be done and
warehouse is going to
negatively impact kids and
I've done nothing but listen.
I've talked to the board. I
feel like I'm a good liaison.
I listen. I asked they're not
supportive of this and I
respect their opinion. Many of
them. I appointed. But at the
end of the day, what's
important to me is that we get
people on there. Who truly see
that our futures or walking
the streets and sit classrooms
right now. Our workforce is
sitting there. What I think is
ultimately important and this
is where I would land. Is. I
look at how we as council
members have been treated,
least this council person over
the last year. And if I get a
chance now to try to give us a
voice. Not one of you all can
sit up here and say that you
didn't see $200,000 for a
whole year. Get moved from one
committee to the next. Not one
of you sitting up here. Can
say that you did not hear them
say. Appropriate. They
execute. So there's an
opportunity for me. To have a
say in what happens with kids
based on how I've been
treated. I'm sorry. I feel
like I'm going to support this
supporting it because I want
to help kids. Because my voice
has been silenced for year.
And this is a chance for me to
speak. Thank you. Thank you,
MR. Freeman, we Mark Erica.
>> Followed by Mr Areas and
then Dr Sailing for the second
time. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT
didn't mean to jump in after
you kind of blinking in the in
the but I'll be brief, support
this in committee all
supported today. But what I
really want to do is just
acknowledge and thank Dr
Christner.
>> Who has been sitting in
this audience numerous times
following this bill and spent
hours and hours and hours with
us. As you know, service at
the Duval County School Board
school system and stepped in
as the interim ceo of Cage. A
job well done. I know they've
found a replacement sides.
Want to thank you for hanging
in there and showing up and
represent for kj and for kids.
Some. Thank you for that. And
I do support this and I hope
that you all will too. Thank
you, Sir. Council variance.
Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT I was
its peak, but I just, you
know, my colleagues, I just
think.
>> I want speak. So here's the
thing. The thing about it is
not broken. Why fix That
doesn't mean anything because
realistically people out there
just and business people and
business just the ball. And
this is us evolving as a
government body of the city.
You know, we represent
different districts are some
district members. But at the
end, they we still have a
voice. And the way I see is
be, you know, United the city.
>> We're a team sport here.
The mayor has appointment. We
have our appointment.
Hopefully and I don't see
anything wrong because we
boards and commissions that we
also point to and there's
nothing wrong with it. So
nothing will change your. The
only thing that changes the
fight that these boards for
the longest part have been
coined by mayor and obviously
kept the whole other points to
themselves. But at this point,
I guess that I just think that
it makes sense for all of us
just worked together as a city
and the council and the mayor
as well to to just work
together and have appointment
at the end. They she still has
more point than that. We do
anyways. So I'll be supporting
this bill and not to be Thank
you. Thank you, sir. Back to
Doctor Salem. Second time. 2
quick points.
>> Who do you want making some
of these appointments? Do you
want Randy White as PRESIDENT?
You want Ron as PRESIDENT, do
you want? PRESIDENT Howland
making some of these
appointments? I do. I think
they have a different view of
this government and what can
be done. And I want their
diversity making appointments
to these boards. I made the
commitment that I am not going
beyond these 2 boards. I think
these 2 are substantial. They
got huge budgets. And I think
it's important that we have
diversity. And the other point
that I I keep hearing is
there's nothing wrong. Why
change it? We write
legislation all the time to
improve specific ordinances
are already there.
>> Why are we here? If we're
not writing legislation to
improve things? That's what I
think this does. It adds
diversity of appointments to
these boards. D was set up
this way. Nothing's nothing's
going wrong at bia as we make
appointments. I know people
want to make this partisan.
I've been working on this
since late last year. Believe
55 years was right. And we
finally convince this general
counsel that that's the case.
And I thought this was the
place to do it. So vote your
conscience. Thank you, MR.
PRESIDENT. Thank you, sir. And
final speaker in the queue
COUNCILMAN Pollution. Thank
you, MR. PRESIDENT if Council
or Salem speaks a second time,
I might as well and I wasn't
really gonna speak much on
this Surprise. We talked this
long.
>> This is so stupid. Read the
charter. We have a lot of
power. We have the power to
vote down and appointee. It's
happened before by this body.
We have power. It exists know
that this process is. Don't
don't say whether it's
partisan and this is clearly
is kj was created by the
former. Mayor, the city. No
one said a word about the
appointments. All of a sudden
now they do. It's just it's
just bizarre to me. Let's vote
this. No, let's go home. Thank
you. All right. Thank you,
sir. One more time to Would
you please explain the vote?
What yes means what means.
>> Of course, MR. PRESIDENT
through the PRESIDENT To the
council. So if you pressed the
greener, yes, button, you are
voting to override the mayor's
veto and approve ordinance
2025 8.72 If you vote the red
button or no button, it is a
vote to sustain the mayor's
veto and defeat the ordinance,
MR. PRESIDENT with 18
PRESIDENT, you will need 12
votes to override the veto.
Thank you for clarifying. We
have a motion and second,
let's open the ballot Cordova.
>> 11 Yays, 7 nays.
>> And by your vote, the
override fails. 25 0, 8, 7, 2,
MR. Floor leader. I think that
concludes urgent. You're
absolutely right. It does.
Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. All
right. We will take a roll
call.
>> 18 present.
>> All right. And then we open
up for announcements. I know
MISTER Lane and as an
announcement.
>> As thinking, MR. PRESIDENT
reminding everyone on JULY.
First, MISS Brenda Smith sent
out the budget hearing
schedule. So make sure you
look at that and we look to
have you join us at this
specific topic on the agenda
that you want to be there for.
Thank you. Thank you, sir, to
MISTER Palou. So you have an
announcement. Thank you as
PRESIDENT. That's much
announcement. I would like to
apologize for use of the word
stupid. I don't want people to
think that I was calling any
of these council members to.
But I was talking about this
process in which we were going
through because I don't
believe allowed to do the
voted the veto the way we did
this evening.
>> So this is not me calling
up councilmember Stupid. Thank
you. Thank you for that
apology, MR. Carlucci, a
metallurgy recognized.
>> Thank I thought happier
note, I might remind some of
those who do Bob Johnson, but
yesterday was his birthday and
quite the notable birthday.
And if you haven't had a
chance to send him a text
issue well, you might want to
do that. I spoke with him at
length yesterday and he and
his family went out to dinner
last night and had a good time
he's like the Timex Watch. You
know, he takes a look at some
times, but it keeps on taking.
And we just had a great time
talking about all times and so
I know some of y'all are very
close to him. I want to give
McCall, thank you.
>> All right. Thank you, sir.
I misspent money. You have
anything all right. Ms Pittman
over to you. And I want get
you.
>> We have a lot of Leone's.
On the council as well and is
the cea's the so the first
one. Is councilmember Kris
Miller. His birthday was on
JULY. The 11th. And then we
have Jimmy COUNCILMAN Jimmy,
your birthday is on does And
we have Jackie Niihau 7.19,
and Bethany. Her birthday was
7.26 And my assistant. So less
dean. Her birthday is on 7.30,
one. Then we have Jessica in
the birthday is was 7, 8. And
we have to Reese's birthday,
which is 7.29 and we events
photo. And this birthday is on
JULY. So let's give all of the
Leo's a big round of applause
>> gay.
>> Thank you. MISS Pittman.
Final call for announcements.
All right. With that, we are
adjourned. We turn it over to
Doctor Johnson for the prayer.
>> And I figured out to the
announcement everybody can
stand 2 things. First of all,
I want to celebrate the life
and times of Billy Plumber
make a bigger Rankins. He was
an amazing community member of
this council passed resolution
honoring 30 years of service.
I was scheduled to give it to
him on AUGUST 18 at a
community bookbag giveaway. He
was giving away.
Unfortunately, he lost his
battle with kidney disease
just a few days ago. And he'll
be funeral lives. So one time
for Billy Plumber run it by
select back and last but not
least I want to recognize a
former member of this most a
gust body and my dear friend
and one of the reasons I
became the size can matter, of
course, enjoys Morgan, an
anchor reporter. And that is
Harry s Reagan. Harry Regan
was certainly an amazing
community leader. He was 87
years old. He served this
council with integrity. I
remember as a young man
watching him nightly on the
news after the news, he would
come on and give those
wonderful editorials. And he
was just as genteel and
amazing when he came on this
council, his wife, Rita and my
mother, would your friends and
they were both historic
aficionados. I reached
establishing the filmmakers,
the museum over in Arlington
and so many other wonderful
thing. So I want to tell you
from the family of heavy
Reagan, as you see, there is a
resolution honoring his life.
His celebration of life will
be on Sunday AUGUST 16th from
one to 04:00pm at the
Jacksonville History Make sure
the Senate around to the
council so you can rsvp. But
let us remember one of our
most esteemed members, Harry
Regan, who is now at the dais
in the sky with that history
will never ask how long. I
mean.
>> He is in the days and this
guy with the Lord. You know,
you're listening to history
will never ask where he is.
He's going on. History will
never ask how long our
meetings lasted will ask
whether our service expanded
opportunity protected dignity.
>> And left the city more
hopeful than we found it.
Please let us pray to got to
thank you for the opportunity
of coming together. We MAY not
all agree, but what we can
certainly agree on is that
this city, the place that
you've given us stewardship
over is an amazing community
of so many unique individuals
and places and landscapes. And
we prayed that the work that
we do continues to expand this
city and a great way to not
just attract people to take
the people that are here and
nurture them and care for them
so that our neighbors and
community build and show the
world just how wonderful I'd
only we are, but that we can
be. Thank you for these
blessings. Please touch those
members who are not here, keep
them safe and bring them back.
These and all the blessings.
We asking the father, the son
and the Holy spirit. Amen.
Amen. Thank you all for your
service to the city tonight to
my colleagues and Never safe
drive home.
>> If it.
>> This city Jacksonville. Not
for recognition. Well,
responsibility and park to
where artists stands tall,
where mere is up along with
with access. You see she
didn't just decided she
created a rival. This is on
Waugh they're keen do when
building or to go observing
Moncrief moving south side,
stretching beach is breathing
a city alive in every
direction at once. Not like
despite darkness, light
because we understand the
light. So tonight we honor
more than names. We ignition
and intention. We honor those
who leave brilliance lingering
long after they've left the
road. Look what you've done. A
city that learned how to blow
on command early on. See that
decided the darkness would
never have a foothold here.
That darkness would never have