OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Regular Meeting – April 14, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:38:02

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

For like three seconds, it's a five.

0:06

Good evening, everybody.

0:07

If we could find our seats, we are now calling this meeting to order.

0:12

Welcome everyone.

0:14

It is five o'clock.

0:17

And we are started.

0:18

All right.

0:19

Thank you, everybody for settling down.

0:22

It's Tuesday, April 14th.

0:24

Welcome to the city of Jacksonville City Council meeting.

0:28

Glad you're all here today.

0:29

We've got a packed house, it looks like a lot of great things going on.

0:32

So we're very happy to see you all.

0:33

Mr.

0:34

Floor Leader, take it from here.

0:35

Thank you, Mr.

0:36

President.

0:36

Our first order of business is the invocation and pledge of allegiance.

0:39

Please recognize our council chaplain, Councilmember Kennemar.

0:42

All right, Chaplain Amoro.

0:43

Thank you, Mr.

0:44

President.

0:44

Mr.

0:45

Floor Leader.

0:47

Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Chaplain Donner Zimmerman, a proud native Floridian, born in Miami, who moved to Jacksonville when she was 14, which she considers her home.

0:59

She went to Bishop Kenny High and received her bachelor's and master's degrees from UNF.

1:04

She worked for the State of Florida Health and Human Services Department, then later at Lutheran Social Services.

1:11

There in 1992, she started AIDS care and education, the first professionally provided service in the community for those with HIV AIDS.

1:22

It is still in operation.

1:24

After retiring, she did chaplain C internship at Baptist Hospital during the height of the COVID pandemic, where she was honored to stand in place of family to hold the hands of the patients as they left this earth.

1:39

Now she attends and spends her time as a member of Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church on the worship team and the pastoral care program.

1:49

Please receive chaplain Donald Zimmerman for tonight's invocation.

1:55

Thank you, Ken.

1:58

Let us take a moment of quiet reflection to center ourselves.

2:05

God of many names and mystery beyond all our naming.

2:10

You, the members of our city council, come together from various traditions and with different beliefs to ground yourselves in the shared purpose of creating a city that can flourish and a community where everyone can thrive.

2:27

May you be guided by wisdom, justice, and compassion.

2:33

In my Unitarian Universalist faith, we have core values that inform and define our approach to each other and to the world.

2:43

We believe that every person has inherent worth and dignity and deserves the right to be heard and the opportunity to succeed.

2:53

I urge you to approach your decisions and use your resources to build strong and inclusive communities, working to dismantle barriers created by systems of power and privilege.

3:06

As you begin the business of this meeting, I ask that you listen to one another with open hearts, truly hearing the diverse experiences and needs of all residents, especially those whose voices are marginalized and seldom heard.

3:24

Build consensus through respect and understanding.

3:27

May you have the courage to make decisions with integrity, always keeping the best interest of your constituents at the heart of your work.

3:36

Let your work today help build a more just, equitable, and peaceful world for all.

3:43

May it be so man.

4:10

All right, roll call.

4:28

Next up is the approval of the minutes for the regular council meeting of March 24th.

4:32

I move the approval.

4:33

I've got a motion second on the approval of the minutes.

4:35

All in favor of approving the minutes, signify by saying aye.

4:37

Aye.

4:38

Any opposed to say nay.

4:39

The minutes are approved.

4:40

Mr.

4:40

President, we have nine communications from the mayor's office and others.

4:43

Would you like them read or filed with legislative services?

4:45

Uh Dr.

4:45

Johnson is going to read them all today, or we're going to file them.

4:50

File them.

4:51

We will file them.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████37%
Zoning And Land Use████████████12%
Historic Preservation████████8%
Community Engagement████████8%
Public Safety████████8%
Mental Health Awareness███████7%
Public Engagement████4%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Economic Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Regular Meeting – April 14, 2026

The Jacksonville City Council met on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chamber, City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Council President Kevin Carrico and adjourned at 8:33 PM. The agenda included quasi-judicial rezoning ordinances, a consent agenda, public hearings, third- and second-reading bills, and introduction of new legislation. Nineteen council members were present for all votes. Key actions included approval of a major economic development incentive for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, funding for infant safety devices ("baby boxes") at 14 fire stations, renaming of Confederate Street to Rose Arbor Way, and several land-use changes, some over opposition.

Presentations

  • Dr. Arthur W. “Buster” Browning Jr. – Council Member Boylan presented a framed resolution commending Dr. Browning for decades of medical practice and community service. Family and colleagues spoke in his honor.
  • San Marco Preservation Society – Council Member Joe Carlucci presented a resolution celebrating the society’s 50th anniversary. Representatives accepted the recognition.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 19-0 a single consent agenda containing 14 items, including appointments to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission, Council on Elder Affairs, Tree Commission, and Jacksonville Housing & Community Development Commission; resolutions honoring the 100th birthday of Janie R. Robinson, the City Rescue Mission (80th anniversary), and various sports championships; an ordinance appropriating $120,000 for a marine artificial reef; $32,500 for Westside Tax Collector branch refurbishment; $44,897 for a tax office buildout change order; $355,000 for McDuff Avenue Park land acquisition; and recognition of National Library Week. One ordinance (2026-0182, a $500 Tractor Supply donation) was withdrawn on consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Transit fare increase – Latoya Kendrick (JTA JTech Disability Advisory Board) opposed the April 2 fare increase from $6 to $10 one-way for the U2C service, stating it burdens the disability community.
  • School facilities – Robert Stafford urged council to address blighted conditions at Frequency Payne Elementary and refine the use of sales tax revenue.
  • George Crady Fishing Bridge – Multiple speakers (Johnny Turner, Latrice Bell, James Bell, Carrie Bags, Ulysses Cromedy, and others) demanded the Duval County side of the bridge be reopened for fishing; they alleged misappropriation of federal funds allocated for repairs.
  • Mental health crisis response – Several speakers (Monica Gold, Brian Jefferson, Keanu Blaylock, Ian Face, and others) called for a permanent mental health emergency response team staffed by professionals, not police, citing seven JSO shootings in 2025 related to mental health crises.
  • Baby boxes & abortion ordinance – Speakers supported 2026-0186 (infant safety devices) and 2026-0227 (prohibiting city funds for abortion services), arguing both protect life. Nancy Murray Settle opposed 2026-0227 as government overreach.
  • Confederate Street rename – Multiple speakers urged rejection of 2026-0140, arguing history should be preserved, not erased.
  • Southside Boulevard rezoning – Residents Herbert Ramsdale, Keith Lingenberg, and Wayne Van Dorn opposed the land-use change (2026-0128/129), citing traffic, loss of affordable housing, and incompatibility with the comprehensive plan.
  • Palestine–related arrests – Numerous speakers demanded that the city drop charges against three individuals arrested during a May 2025 council meeting for protesting resolution 2023-742; they also urged a ceasefire resolution.
  • Soccer stadium concerns – Carmen Martinez opposed a proposed 15,000-seat stadium near UNF, citing traffic and neighborhood disruption. Kathleen Prayer and others requested the stadium be relocated to downtown or other sites.
  • Other topics – Comments also covered watershed sediment study funding (Holiday Harbor), library content, and support for Jacksonville General Apprenticeship Association.

Discussion Items

  • Quasi-Judicial Rezonings (Items 1–11) – All 11 were approved, most unanimously. Notable votes:
    • 2026-0015 (Azalea Grove PUD, 130 cottage home units): Approved 18-1 (Gaffney Jr. dissenting).
    • 2026-0130 (Sans Pareil Property PUD, alcohol sales): Approved 19-0 after ex parte declarations.
    • 2026-0171 (Zoning exception for House of Leaf & Bean, alcohol in CN-S): Approved 16-3 (Amaro, Boylan, Clark-Murray dissenting).
    • 2026-0172 (Arak Liquors, alcohol in CCG-2): Approved 19-0.
  • Public Hearings – Special
    • 2026-0005 (Honorary street designation for Cedric Burrell): Approved 19-0 after technical amendment.
    • 2026-0140 (Renaming Confederate Street to “Rose Arbor Way”): Approved 11-8 after floor amendment limiting change to a portion of the street. Those voting no: Carrico, Howland, White, Arias, Diamond, Gay, Salem, Freeman.
    • 2026-0174/0175 (Waiver of road frontage and administrative deviation on Wages Wy): Amended and rereferred to LUZ (19-0).
  • Public Hearings – Land Use Amendments & Rezonings
    • 2026-0022/0023 (9702 Historic Kings Rd, land use change to BP and rezoning to IBP): Approved 18-0.
    • 2026-0128 (2124–2220 Southside Blvd, FLUM amendment LDR to BP): Approved 12-6 (nays: Carrico, Amaro, Boylan, Clark-Murray, Gay, Salem).
    • 2026-0129 (2124–2220 Southside Blvd, rezoning RLD-60 to IBP): Approved 12-7 (nays: Carrico, Amaro, Boylan, J. Carlucci, Clark-Murray, Gay, Salem).
    • 2026-0006/0007 (Morse Avenue, land use and rezoning for 89 single-family units): Continued to April 28.
    • 2026-0122/0123 (Old Kings Rd, agriculture to LDR and manufactured home PUD): Continued to April 28.
    • 2026-0124/0125 (Rampart Rd, MDR to BP and PUD for industrial/office): Continued to May 26.
    • 2026-0126/0127 (Pitts Rd, LDR to CCG and PUD for auto sales): Continued to April 28.
    • 2026-0164/0165 (Leon Rd, LDR to BP and rezoning to IBP): Additional hearing set for April 28.
    • 2026-0166/0167 (Edgewood Ave, land use swap and rezoning): Additional hearing April 28.
    • 2026-0168/0169 (Commonwealth Ave, LDR to MDR and rezoning to CRO): Additional hearing April 28.
  • Third-Reading Ordinances
    • 2026-0146 (JTA FY 24-25 budget amendment): Approved 16-3 (Diamond, Gay, Peluso dissenting).
    • 2026-0179 (Baymeadows Community Improvement District FY 26-27 budget): Approved 17-2 (Diamond, Gay dissenting).
    • 2026-0180 (Tree planting program, $4.5 million): Approved 19-0 after amendment.
    • 2026-0181 (Fire specialty teams grant, $359,000): Approved 19-0 after amendment.
    • 2026-0183 (Fire Station 18 CIP revision): Approved 19-0 after amendment.
    • 2026-0186 (Infant safety devices (“baby boxes”) at 14 fire stations, $314,900): Discharged from NCSPHS; approved 19-0 after council amendment. Many members added as co-sponsors.
    • 2026-0188 (Railroad grade crossing closure and opening): Approved 19-0 after amendment.
  • Second-Reading Items – Numerous resolutions and ordinances were read second time and referred to committees, including:
    • 2026-0231: Resolution supporting protected bicycle lanes downtown.
    • 2026-0232: Appeal of JHPC denial for St. Johns Quarter LLC.
    • Appointments to the Eastside Grants Committee and Mobility System Working Group.
    • 2026-0208/0209/0210: Rezonings in Wilson Blvd, Almeda St, and Owens Rd, all referred to LUZ with public hearings in May.
  • Introduction of New Legislation – Several resolutions and ordinances were introduced, including:
    • 2026-0270: Resolution denouncing 2021-162-A (Cesar Chavez Day recognition).
    • 2026-0277: Appointment of Phillip Peterson as City Council Auditor.
    • 2026-0266: Ordinance authorizing a $3.2 million development loan for 108 affordable housing units (withdrawn 19-0; to be reintroduced later).
    • 2026-0261: Ordinance to “opt in” to a national opioid settlement.
    • 2026-0285 (Addendum): Economic development agreement with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care – authorizing a 6-year recapture enhanced value grant of $10.5 million for the Centurion facility and a 5-year grant of $1.5 million for a new Main Street facility.
  • Unfinished Business – 2025-0872 (board appointments for Kids Hope Alliance and Library Trustees): Postponed to May 12, 2026 (19-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (19-0): Consent agenda; quasi-judicial items 2026-0087, -0130, -0131, -0133, -0134, -0172, -0173, -0176, -0178; honorary street for Cedric Burrell; Baymeadows CID budget; tree planting; fire specialty teams; Fire Station 18; baby boxes; railroad crossing; Historic Kings Rd land use and rezoning; JTA budget; third-reading resolution reappointing Kate Moorehead Carroll to Homelessness Initiatives Commission.
  • Approved with dissent: Azalea Grove PUD (18-1); House of Leaf & Bean (16-3); JTA budget (16-3); Baymeadows CID budget (17-2); Confederate Street rename (11-8); Southside Blvd FLUM and rezoning (12-6 and 12-7).
  • Continued hearings: Several land-use items postponed to April 28, May 12, or May 26, 2026.
  • Withdrawn: 2026-0182 (Tractor Supply donation) and 2026-0266 (affordable housing loan).
  • Postponed: 2025-0872 to May 12, 2026.
  • New legislation introduced: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care economic incentive package (referred to Finance); other items assigned to committees.

Meeting Transcript

For like three seconds, it's a five. Good evening, everybody. If we could find our seats, we are now calling this meeting to order. Welcome everyone. It is five o'clock. And we are started. All right. Thank you, everybody for settling down. It's Tuesday, April 14th. Welcome to the city of Jacksonville City Council meeting. Glad you're all here today. We've got a packed house, it looks like a lot of great things going on. So we're very happy to see you all. Mr. Floor Leader, take it from here. Thank you, Mr. President. Our first order of business is the invocation and pledge of allegiance. Please recognize our council chaplain, Councilmember Kennemar. All right, Chaplain Amoro. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Floor Leader. Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Chaplain Donner Zimmerman, a proud native Floridian, born in Miami, who moved to Jacksonville when she was 14, which she considers her home. She went to Bishop Kenny High and received her bachelor's and master's degrees from UNF. She worked for the State of Florida Health and Human Services Department, then later at Lutheran Social Services. There in 1992, she started AIDS care and education, the first professionally provided service in the community for those with HIV AIDS. It is still in operation. After retiring, she did chaplain C internship at Baptist Hospital during the height of the COVID pandemic, where she was honored to stand in place of family to hold the hands of the patients as they left this earth. Now she attends and spends her time as a member of Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church on the worship team and the pastoral care program. Please receive chaplain Donald Zimmerman for tonight's invocation. Thank you, Ken. Let us take a moment of quiet reflection to center ourselves. God of many names and mystery beyond all our naming. You, the members of our city council, come together from various traditions and with different beliefs to ground yourselves in the shared purpose of creating a city that can flourish and a community where everyone can thrive. May you be guided by wisdom, justice, and compassion. In my Unitarian Universalist faith, we have core values that inform and define our approach to each other and to the world. We believe that every person has inherent worth and dignity and deserves the right to be heard and the opportunity to succeed. I urge you to approach your decisions and use your resources to build strong and inclusive communities, working to dismantle barriers created by systems of power and privilege. As you begin the business of this meeting, I ask that you listen to one another with open hearts, truly hearing the diverse experiences and needs of all residents, especially those whose voices are marginalized and seldom heard. Build consensus through respect and understanding. May you have the courage to make decisions with integrity, always keeping the best interest of your constituents at the heart of your work. Let your work today help build a more just, equitable, and peaceful world for all. May it be so man. All right, roll call. Next up is the approval of the minutes for the regular council meeting of March 24th. I move the approval. I've got a motion second on the approval of the minutes. All in favor of approving the minutes, signify by saying aye.

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