OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting - April 20, 2026

City Council — Monday, April 20, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, April 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:18:03

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good morning, everyone.

0:02

Welcome to the Monday, April 20th, 2026 neighborhoods meeting.

0:09

I call the meeting to order, and we'll start with introductions to my left with Mr.

0:14

Delaney.

0:15

Good morning, Bill Delaney with the mayor's office.

0:18

Brandon Russell, Council Research.

0:20

Mary Stepopoulos, Office of General Counsel.

0:22

Philip Peterson, Council Iris Office.

0:24

Good morning, Michael Boylan, District Six.

0:31

Randy White, District 12.

0:34

Mike Gay, District 2.

0:35

Good morning, Chris Miller, at large group five.

0:38

Ron Salem, group two at large.

0:41

All right, thank you, everyone.

0:43

We'll go ahead and uh open up for public comment.

0:47

I've got two speaker cards at the moment.

0:52

Uh I'll start with Belinda Carter.

0:55

Uh you'll be given three minutes.

0:57

Uh I know you listed on here items that are not on the agenda, but since you've gotten up come early this morning, we'll let you go ahead and speak.

1:08

So, Miss Carter, you'll have three minutes.

1:15

I don't see Ms.

1:16

Carter.

1:16

We'll go ahead and go to the next one.

1:19

Mr.

1:19

Carnell Oliver, come on up and you'll have three minutes.

1:24

Give your name and address for the record and speak to the items you have on your card.

1:29

Thank you, sir.

1:41

Uh, yes, my name is Carter Oliver.

1:44

Address is on file.

1:45

I want to speak to a couple of different bills.

1:48

Um, I'm gonna have to wing it because I can't get my phone act right, but there's a couple of economic development projects dealing with downtown urban core.

1:58

And what I want to do is I want to codify language within it that enforces the 1866 Civil Rights Act.

2:05

Right now, we live in underneath the black code still to this very day.

2:11

Because we've been buried, black Americans have been buried underneath the 1964 act, oppressing economic development.

2:22

There are not a lot of key elements in the structure of this city that needs to be addressed.

2:28

And I think there may be needed for an ordinance on the books that puts the 1866 Civil Rights Act at the forefront.

2:38

Because as I'm looking at a number of these projects from 2026, 0223, any amount of projects that are out there has money tied to it.

2:51

So that brings black Americans to the table to take take in on some of these developments that are happening in our community.

3:00

I think it's about time that we have those discussions because we've been overlooked, we've been deprived of our economic freedom, and we have been bending the knee to other people to take advantage of the things that we establish in this country.

3:14

I've said this before.

3:16

Black Americans are America first.

3:19

Outside of us, this country wouldn't be what it is now.

3:24

And it's time that we reap the benefits of a country we built first.

3:29

And I want to say that with real sincerity.

3:32

This is an opportunity to justify a lot of wrongs that have been done to my lineage.

3:38

And I'm asking once again that y'all consider these particular economic bills and crime stopper.

3:46

How do you plan on benefiting black American communities?

3:50

How could you codify this into the neighborhood bill of rights?

3:54

And I yield my time.

3:57

All right, thank you.

3:59

All right, so we'll go to Miss Belinda Carter.

4:04

Your name and address for the record, please.

4:06

Good morning, City Council.

4:08

I am Belinda Francine Carter at 3627 Basel Road, representing Pine Far slash San Marco community.

4:17

Uh, we have many issues that needs to be addressed in regards to our community.

4:23

That one at first hand I want to acknowledge is the property located at 3616 Freeman Road, is disguised as the Airbnb, but it's a halfway house, which is owned by the state of Florida from our understanding.

4:41

There are 10 people living in this house.

4:43

There's a possibility of another uh Airbnb disguised in our community, but is also a halfway house.

4:52

We need further investigation to find out what's going on.

4:55

Community residents have noticed ankle monitors on people who live in that house.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Economic Development████████████████████20%
Public Safety██████████10%
Cannabis Regulation██████████10%
Historic Preservation█████████9%
Environmental Protection████████8%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Homelessness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee met on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 9:30 AM in the City Council Chamber. Chair Mike Gay presided. The meeting convened at 9:30 AM and adjourned at 10:49 AM. Members present: Gay, White, Salem, Miller, Amaro, Boylan, Clark-Murray (excused late arrival). Also visiting: CM Peluso. The committee considered 30 agenda items, including an ADA presentation, public comments, and numerous ordinances and resolutions.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Carnell Oliver spoke on multiple economic development bills, urging the committee to codify the 1866 Civil Rights Act to ensure black Americans benefit from downtown projects.
  • Belinda Carter (3627 Basel Road) raised concerns about a property at 3616 Freeman Road she described as a halfway house disguised as an Airbnb, causing safety issues, and also mentioned JEA facility noise, septic tank problems, and lack of garbage cans in her community.
  • John Nooney commented on items 2026-0222 (restrictive covenant), 2026-0223 (entertainment district), and 2026-0237 (emergency management plan), requesting more information on acreage in perpetuity and urban core CPAC involvement.
  • Frank Morene (3950 O'Reilly Drive West) asked about 22 sycamore trees planted eight months ago, citing leaf litter and caterpillars as problems.
  • Sharla Valeski (1311 Campbell Avenue) expressed concern about homeless people defecating near her art center and requested public restrooms at night.

Discussion Items

  • ADA Presentation: Teresa Eichner, Chief of Public Information, reported that the city website is being updated for ADA compliance. Legislative Gateway (containing legislation and exhibits) will be temporarily inaccessible and must be requested via public records request. Agendas and minutes will remain available. Staff will receive login credentials.
  • 2026-0223 (Downtown Entertainment District – Brooklyn inclusion): CM Peluso introduced the ordinance to add Brooklyn to the Downtown Entertainment District, allowing alcohol sales until 3 a.m. He noted that the original amendment inadvertently omitted Brooklyn, and the owner of InCahoots nightclub had requested inclusion. CM Salem opposed, citing insufficient time (6 weeks) since the original district was implemented. CM Miller supported but would monitor. CM Gay opposed, concerned about future expansion. Passed 5-2 (White, Miller, Amaro, Boylan, Clark-Murray aye; Gay, Salem nay).
  • 2026-0218 and 2026-0219 (DPRP loans for historic buildings): Both items involved Downtown Preservation and Revitalization Program loans for renovations at 38-44 W. Monroe St. and 231 N. Laura St. Amendments were approved, but the bills failed on final vote 3-4 (Salem, Miller, Clark-Murray aye; Gay, White, Amaro, Boylan nay). Discussion centered on the high percentage of forgivable loans (64% and 66% of construction costs) and ROI of 0.53. CM Boylan expressed concern about the cost to the city.
  • 2026-0249 (JSEB Micro-Grant Program): CM Freeman’s ordinance appropriating $200,000 from the PSG micro-grant program to a JSEB micro-grant program was amended and approved 7-0. Bill Delaney (Administration) stated the administration did not support the bill, noting JSEB is already robustly funded. CM Boylan expressed support but urged CM Freeman to work on increasing PSG funding next year.
  • 2026-0261 (Opt-in to national pharmacy settlement): Emergency ordinance to authorize the city to opt into a national settlement with several pharmacies by the May 4 deadline. Approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0263 (Riverview Collective OysterFest funding): Emergency amendment to appropriate $25,000 from traffic calming funds to Riverview Collective Community Organization for OysterFest expenses. Event had already occurred. Approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0222 (Restrictive covenant for Bishop Gate Lane): Eric Fuller explained the covenant restricts groundwater use to achieve regulatory closure for a contaminated site remediated by removing over 15,000 tons of soil. Approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0237 (Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan): Noah Ray (JFRD) described the plan as the base for all emergency management, with 70 annexes updated every four years. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar (Unanimous approvals): Items 2026-0185 (St. James elevator repairs, $100,000), 2026-0187 (North FL School of Special Education, $30,000), 2026-0214 (United Way 2-1-1 amendment), 2026-0215 (beautification initiatives, $75,000), 2026-0216 (GFL Solid Waste CON renewal), 2026-0217 (Crime Stoppers, $25,000), 2026-0222 (restrictive covenant), 2026-0224 (9-8-8 suicide crisis lifeline amendment), 2026-0225 (mosquito control, $90,576), 2026-0226 (derelict vessel removal, $77,440), 2026-0231 (bicycle lanes resolution), 2026-0237 (emergency management plan), 2026-0248 (opioid settlement proceeds allocation), 2026-0249 (JSEB micro-grant), 2026-0261 (pharmacy settlement opt-in), 2026-0263 (Riverview Collective OysterFest). All passed with 7-0 or 6-0 votes.
  • Deferred: 2024-0966 (settlement with Live Oak Ancient City Living) at request of CM Carrico; 2025-0361 (retiree adjustment payments) at request of CM White; 2026-0227 (prohibition on abortion expenditures) at request of CM Diamond.
  • Failed: 2026-0218 (DPRP loan for 38-44 W. Monroe St.) and 2026-0219 (DPRP loan for 231 N. Laura St.) both failed 3-4.
  • Second Reading Items (Rereferred): 2026-0258 (CRA advisory board appointments), 2026-0259 (Isle of Palms budget), 2026-0260 (Historic Stanton grant, $143,710), 2026-0264 (Riverside-Avondale Preservation grant amendment), 2026-0265 (Jacksonville General Apprenticeship funding, $675,000), 2026-0267 (street name change), 2026-0286 (FDEP contamination cleanup contract), 2026-0287 (FDOT NPDES interlocal agreement) were read second time and rereferred.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the Monday, April 20th, 2026 neighborhoods meeting. I call the meeting to order, and we'll start with introductions to my left with Mr. Delaney. Good morning, Bill Delaney with the mayor's office. Brandon Russell, Council Research. Mary Stepopoulos, Office of General Counsel. Philip Peterson, Council Iris Office. Good morning, Michael Boylan, District Six. Randy White, District 12. Mike Gay, District 2. Good morning, Chris Miller, at large group five. Ron Salem, group two at large. All right, thank you, everyone. We'll go ahead and uh open up for public comment. I've got two speaker cards at the moment. Uh I'll start with Belinda Carter. Uh you'll be given three minutes. Uh I know you listed on here items that are not on the agenda, but since you've gotten up come early this morning, we'll let you go ahead and speak. So, Miss Carter, you'll have three minutes. I don't see Ms. Carter. We'll go ahead and go to the next one. Mr. Carnell Oliver, come on up and you'll have three minutes. Give your name and address for the record and speak to the items you have on your card. Thank you, sir. Uh, yes, my name is Carter Oliver. Address is on file. I want to speak to a couple of different bills. Um, I'm gonna have to wing it because I can't get my phone act right, but there's a couple of economic development projects dealing with downtown urban core. And what I want to do is I want to codify language within it that enforces the 1866 Civil Rights Act. Right now, we live in underneath the black code still to this very day. Because we've been buried, black Americans have been buried underneath the 1964 act, oppressing economic development. There are not a lot of key elements in the structure of this city that needs to be addressed. And I think there may be needed for an ordinance on the books that puts the 1866 Civil Rights Act at the forefront. Because as I'm looking at a number of these projects from 2026, 0223, any amount of projects that are out there has money tied to it. So that brings black Americans to the table to take take in on some of these developments that are happening in our community. I think it's about time that we have those discussions because we've been overlooked, we've been deprived of our economic freedom, and we have been bending the knee to other people to take advantage of the things that we establish in this country. I've said this before. Black Americans are America first. Outside of us, this country wouldn't be what it is now. And it's time that we reap the benefits of a country we built first. And I want to say that with real sincerity. This is an opportunity to justify a lot of wrongs that have been done to my lineage. And I'm asking once again that y'all consider these particular economic bills and crime stopper. How do you plan on benefiting black American communities? How could you codify this into the neighborhood bill of rights? And I yield my time. All right, thank you.

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