OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Leadership Discussion – March 19, 2026

City Council — Thursday, March 19, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, March 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 30:14

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Room that we used to have at the uh old city hall.

0:02

I was there.

0:03

Yeah, I like the old chamber.

0:05

I did too.

0:06

We can talk about this on record.

0:07

I don't know.

0:08

I like to do City Hall better, but the old chamber was nothing like it.

0:12

Call this meeting order 12 noon.

0:15

Um those that are here, just quick announcement, please sign in if you're here.

0:19

And and before we start introductions, council member, I remember the old chamber.

0:23

I was there the night.

0:25

Um you you may or may not remember this.

0:27

Remember the night that Tilly sent for Denise and Deedra.

0:32

You know, I have a funny story about it.

0:35

Yes, I I do.

0:37

I was there that night.

0:38

Yeah as a kid.

0:39

I was a kid, but I was there, and like you, I think was it 15th floor?

0:44

I was the floor leader.

0:46

Okay, and that is the only council meeting I ever missed because I had to go to a state farm function because I was a new state firm agent.

0:55

Okay, and I tried to get out of the state farm function, and my manager told me this is a state farm function you will not miss.

1:05

And um, and so I said, Yes, sir, you are my bread and butter, sir.

1:11

I will be at it.

1:12

This is my this is the one I missed is when the drama, yeah.

1:15

Yeah, it was still we're we're talking for those that don't know back in the 80s.

1:20

That was back in uh that was the 80s.

1:22

That was 88.

1:23

Yeah.

1:24

Because Tommy was mayor then.

1:25

Yep.

1:26

Yeah.

1:26

So I was I have this wonderful picture in my office with me and him on the 14th.

1:30

Was council president that year then Tilly was council president the next year.

1:35

The next year, yeah.

1:36

Yeah.

1:36

Good times, good times.

1:37

All right, so we we started at 12.

1:38

Make sure we make note of that.

1:40

Uh we start with introductions.

1:42

Matt Carlucci group for at large.

1:44

And Rockman Johnson, this I am uh representative of District 14, the West Side.

1:49

Uh this meeting is, and I'm sure we'll meander around.

1:52

It's about leadership.

1:53

And and one of the um the great things is I've known, I gotta say this, I've known you, Matt, for more than 30 years since I was a a child.

2:04

And I never uh thought that I would get the opportunity to serve with you having known you and have just sometimes picked up the phone and called you for counsel over the years.

2:12

So well, um this is a really unique experience because well, it's been fun for me, Rogman.

2:18

I I'm I'm so proud of how well you've done, and you you have far surpassed uh me in so many ways, and and I I wish I had your oratories.

2:29

I wish I had a third uh a day of your oratory.

2:32

Uh it's you you're just a remarkable man, and um, so I was happy to meet with you today.

2:39

I I and I I just I'm thankful, I'm thankful.

2:41

And this is the here's the thing that I think most um in many ways I wish we did not have to have, not that sunshine is a bad thing, but sometimes it's good to just have conversation, right?

2:51

Especially with people in a collegial body that you're working with without having to go through the notices and what have you.

2:57

But I'm I'm so appreciative of this moment.

2:59

Let me ask you uh, first of all, is there anything what are you looking for?

3:04

You've been one of the longest serving members.

3:06

I think it's you, Eric Smith, Warren, Denise.

3:09

You're in that class of those great um states people that have served forever on this council, and of course you saw your dad do it.

3:18

What are the qualities?

3:19

And at the time, I'm gonna take it back.

3:21

I call it pro Tim.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
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Summary of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Leadership Discussion – March 19, 2026

This was an informal meeting held at 12:00 PM on March 19, 2026, between Councilmember Matt Carlucci (Group 4 At-Large) and Councilmember Rogman Johnson (District 14, West Side). The conversation focused on leadership philosophies, the upcoming vice‑presidency election, committee assignments, relationships with the mayor’s office, and the importance of collegiality. No formal votes or actions were taken.

Discussion Items

  • Vice‑Presidency & Leadership: Carlucci shared his experience as council vice president under President Alberta, emphasizing the value of observing the president’s handling of conflicts and taking notes on colleagues’ priorities. He praised Johnson for bringing “excitement” and genuine competition to the vice‑presidential race, contrasting it with what he described as previous near‑automatic successions.
  • Committee Assignments & Inclusivity: Johnson articulated his philosophy of building a “team of rivals” akin to Lincoln’s cabinet, saying he would appoint committee chairs based on effectiveness and skills, not party affiliation. He stressed communication and listening as essential for including members with differing views.
  • Relationship with the Mayor’s Office: Johnson stated he would maintain a respectful but independent stance, not rubber‑stamping administration proposals. Carlucci agreed that a good relationship with the mayor is beneficial but not a requirement for agreement.
  • Naming Opportunities (Briefly): Carlucci mentioned two pending naming proposals (for Warren Jones and Mark Middlebrooks) that he wished to discuss with the respective district council member before proceeding further.
  • Personal Anecdotes: Both members shared stories about past council camaraderie, competitive spirit (e.g., the ETM games, a softball grand slam), and tributes to former leaders such as Senator Carlucci and Betty Holzendorf.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • One member of the public, Mr. Oliver Cornell, was present but due to time constraints was asked to submit his comments in writing. No oral testimony was given.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal decisions or votes occurred. The meeting served as a collaborative discussion on leadership strategies. Johnson indicated he would continue seeking input from colleagues as the campaign for vice president proceeds.

Meeting Transcript

Room that we used to have at the uh old city hall. I was there. Yeah, I like the old chamber. I did too. We can talk about this on record. I don't know. I like to do City Hall better, but the old chamber was nothing like it. Call this meeting order 12 noon. Um those that are here, just quick announcement, please sign in if you're here. And and before we start introductions, council member, I remember the old chamber. I was there the night. Um you you may or may not remember this. Remember the night that Tilly sent for Denise and Deedra. You know, I have a funny story about it. Yes, I I do. I was there that night. Yeah as a kid. I was a kid, but I was there, and like you, I think was it 15th floor? I was the floor leader. Okay, and that is the only council meeting I ever missed because I had to go to a state farm function because I was a new state firm agent. Okay, and I tried to get out of the state farm function, and my manager told me this is a state farm function you will not miss. And um, and so I said, Yes, sir, you are my bread and butter, sir. I will be at it. This is my this is the one I missed is when the drama, yeah. Yeah, it was still we're we're talking for those that don't know back in the 80s. That was back in uh that was the 80s. That was 88. Yeah. Because Tommy was mayor then. Yep. Yeah. So I was I have this wonderful picture in my office with me and him on the 14th. Was council president that year then Tilly was council president the next year. The next year, yeah. Yeah. Good times, good times. All right, so we we started at 12. Make sure we make note of that. Uh we start with introductions. Matt Carlucci group for at large. And Rockman Johnson, this I am uh representative of District 14, the West Side. Uh this meeting is, and I'm sure we'll meander around. It's about leadership. And and one of the um the great things is I've known, I gotta say this, I've known you, Matt, for more than 30 years since I was a a child. And I never uh thought that I would get the opportunity to serve with you having known you and have just sometimes picked up the phone and called you for counsel over the years. So well, um this is a really unique experience because well, it's been fun for me, Rogman. I I'm I'm so proud of how well you've done, and you you have far surpassed uh me in so many ways, and and I I wish I had your oratories. I wish I had a third uh a day of your oratory. Uh it's you you're just a remarkable man, and um, so I was happy to meet with you today. I I and I I just I'm thankful, I'm thankful.

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