Jacksonville Rules Committee Meeting – April 6, 2026

The Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee met on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM in City Hall Council Chamber. Chair Chris Miller presided. The meeting lasted until 3:42 PM and covered 45 agenda items including appointments, ordinances, and resolutions. Several items were deferred, and significant discussion occurred on JEA appointments, a street renaming, a budget stabilization amendment, a housing finance authority appointment requiring a residency waiver, and Eastside Grants Committee appointments following public concerns.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Nooney expressed general concerns about OGC representation at CPAC meetings and highlighted legislation on capital improvement projects and public access to waterways.
• Latavia Harris, Dennis Sanchez, James Matchett, Leslie Jean-Bart, and Dawn Curling voiced opposition to several nominees for the Eastside Grants Committee, alleging conflicts of interest (e.g., Dr. Rudolph Jamison Jr.'s prior inaction on tenant conditions as Human Rights Director, connections to Lift Jax organization), lack of community vetting, and a breach of trust. They supported nominees like Larry Swink who demonstrated community investment.

Discussion Items

• Deferral of JEA Appointments (Items 9 & 11): Chair Miller deferred confirmation of Randy Wyse to JEA governing body and reappointment of Joseph Disalvo to JEA due to ongoing investigations and surveys related to JEA. Several members supported the deferral, emphasizing it was not a reflection on the appointees. Councilmember White noted his co-sponsorship of Wyse but supported the delay. The deferral was set for one cycle.
• Street Renaming – Confederate Street to “Rose Arbor Way” (Item 5): The committee passed a NCSPHS amendment (4-3) to rename only a portion of Confederate Street (Market to Liberty) rather than the full length, including a waiver for partial renaming. Discussion included concerns from Councilmembers Salem, Freeman, and Gay about erasing history and from Council Vice President Howland about alternative streets closer to the historic rose arbor. Councilmember Amaro noted the request came from the property owner. The bill as amended was approved 4-3 with Freeman, Salem, and Gay in opposition.
• Budget Stabilization Reserve Amendment (Item 15): Councilmember Lahnen presented an ordinance to direct excess operating reserves (above 7% target) to fund unfunded completion grant obligations. Discussion confirmed the bill creates a double protection: cannot go below 2024 unassigned fund balance of ~$369 million. Councilmember Salem expressed hope to move away from completion grants but supported the bill. The bill advanced to second reading.
• Jacksonville Housing Finance Authority Appointment – Residency Waiver (Item 17): Administration requested waivers for Shannon Nazworth, a St. Johns County resident, to serve on JHFA. Discussion revealed she would need two waivers: one for Duval residency and one for maintaining substantial business/philanthropic interest (she recently retired from Ability Housing and no longer has such interest). Councilmember Freeman raised concerns about precedent and due diligence. Committee agreed to revisit with required additional waiver language at the next meeting.
• Eastside Grants Committee Appointments (Items 29-35, 42-45): Following public comment, Councilmembers Gay and Boylan called for pausing the appointments to seek more community input and to hear from the Administration and Council President on the selection process. Councilmember Salem noted an imbalance: six of eight nominees appeared to come from one faction (Lift Jax). Chair Miller affirmed the community’s concerns were heard and that the committee would seek further clarification before acting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (7-0):
  • Item 4: Honorary street designation for Cedric Burrell with waiver of code requirements (amended).
  • Item 6: Appointment of Matthew D. Jones to Waterways Commission (1st term).
  • Item 8: Appointment of Chrysta D. Bowman to Council on Elder Affairs.
  • Item 10: Appointment of Bradley Nestor to Tree Commission.
  • Item 12: Reappointment of Kate Moorehead Carroll to Homelessness Initiatives Commission (amended to correct term).
  • Item 13: Appointment of Dorothy Gillette to JHCDC.
  • Item 20: Resolution honoring Janie R. Robinson’s 100th birthday.
  • Item 23: Resolution honoring City Rescue Mission’s 80th anniversary.
  • Item 24: Resolution honoring Providence School boys’ basketball state championship.
  • Item 25: Resolution honoring JU Dolphins women’s basketball championship.
  • Item 28: Resolution recognizing Workers’ Memorial Day.
  • Item 36: Resolution honoring Bessie Coleman.
  • Item 41: Resolution for National Library Week.
• Approved (4-3): Item 5 – Street renaming to Rose Arbor Way (amended).
• Deferred (at sponsor request or by Chair): Items 1,2,3,7,9,11,14 (appointment of Cody Mashni).
• Read 2nd & Rerefer (advanced to next committee): Items 15,16,18,19,21,22,26,27,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,37,38,39,40,42,43,44,45. (Items requiring further discussion or public hearing.)
• No action taken (continued): Item 17 (JHFA appointment) will return with additional waiver language.
• Public hearings scheduled: For multiple ordinances on April 14, 2026.