OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee Meeting – June 1, 2026

City Council — Monday, June 1, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 1, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:46:15
Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

All right, welcome everyone to the June 1st rules committee meeting.

0:12

We'll start out with introductions and uh let's please start with Mr.

0:16

Dennis.

0:17

Good afternoon, Garrett Dennis Administration.

0:20

Colin Hamsey, Council Research.

0:22

Carla Schell, Office of General Counsel.

0:25

Tristy Carreher, Council Auditor's Office.

0:27

Philip Peterson, Council Auditor.

0:29

Canamar, City Council, District One.

0:32

Randy White, District 12.

0:34

Chris Miller at large group five.

0:37

Ron Salem, group two at large.

0:39

Mike Gay, district two.

0:41

Nick Howland at large, group three.

0:43

I'm here in a non-voting capacity, just visiting, probably for the first 30, 45 minutes.

0:48

Thanks.

0:49

Okay, thank you.

0:50

We'll get started with public comments.

0:54

We have one card.

0:55

Uh Mr.

0:56

Nooney, if you'll come down, please.

0:58

Come on, Mr.

0:59

Nooney.

1:07

Hello.

1:09

I am John J.

1:11

Nooney.

1:12

Jacksonville City Council resolution 2023 0819.

1:17

I'm in City Council District 4, CPAC 3 School Board District 3.

1:22

And yeah, I'll touch on uh 8356 Bascombe Road.

1:27

Thank you.

1:28

And uh, you know, first, you know, I just want to.

1:32

Okay, I'll be touching on the big one's gonna be uh agenda item 21, 2026 0396.

1:39

But uh I'm gonna start with uh a couple of uh donations.

1:45

You know, first will be 2009 442, that's the Artificial Reef Trust Fund.

1:50

The next one will be 2026 0004, that's the Parks Trust Fund, and then right after that is 2025 0463.

2:02

That's the veterans trust fund.

2:06

Now, the last time we did this, I'll tell you it was like a reunion up there.

2:11

And I'll tell you, it's it's gonna be uh it works, it happens.

2:17

And so, what are I'm just down to a minute forty-eight, but this one, you know, uh this one.

2:24

I I mean, like I said, this is like a dream right here.

2:27

Ordinance making certain findings and improve the authorization of the public investment policy, okay.

2:33

OED to add endowment grants to the Jacksville Fostering Filmmakers Grant Program.

2:41

Now, you know, I spoke to it at the public hearing.

2:46

So, when you look at the bullet points, clarify that there is no maximum for the annual number of endowment grants that can be awarded.

2:59

Amends the public investment policy to authorize endowment grants not to exceed 10,000 per grant, subject to available funding as part of the Jacksonville Fostering Filmmaker Grant Program.

3:15

And this is massive.

3:16

This is awesome.

3:18

There are men sections of the Jacksonville Film and Television Office Trust Fund to include endowment grants within the authorized uses of funds.

3:28

So here we go.

3:29

We can have an OED.

3:31

I mean, that's Ed Rambo, Randolph, Richard, Sparky, 2025 0522, Riker, Dr.

3:37

Gregory, Jacob, Grant, Wendy, CIP Con, Fishing Tournament, to raise money for the Jacksonville Fostering Filmmaker Grant Program.

3:47

OED, the Office of Extraordinary Directors, just down to 15 seconds.

3:53

You know, you hear what's going on with Toy Story.

3:55

Well, in Jacksonville, welcome to Grant World.

3:59

And I'm also talking about Dr.

4:02

Gregory J Seb Grant.

4:03

This is awesome stuff.

4:04

Visit Jacksonville.

4:07

Thank you, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████17%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████16%
Youth Programs████████████████16%
Community Engagement█████████████13%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Fiscal Sustainability████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management███████7%
Workforce Development██████6%
Land Use and Zoning███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee Meeting – June 1, 2026

The Rules Committee of the Jacksonville City Council met on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:46 PM in the Council Chamber. Chair Chris Miller presided. Seven members were present (Miller, Freeman, Amaro, Salem, White, Gay, Boylan); Vice Chair Freeman arrived late. The committee heard public comments, received a presentation on state property tax proposals, and acted on numerous ordinances and resolutions, including several amendments and emergency items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • John Nooney spoke in support of agenda item 2026-0396 (Jacksonville Fostering Filmmakers Grant Program), calling it “massive” and “awesome.” He also referenced several trust fund items.
  • Latavia Harris voiced strong support for the appointment of Robyn Cenizal to the Eastside Grants Committee, describing Cenizal as a subject matter expert with lived experience who shows up for the community.

Discussion Items

  • Presentation on State Property Tax Proposals: Council Auditor Philip Peterson provided an overview of the potential impact of a state bill proposing a $150,000 homestead exemption (rising to $250,000 by 2028) and eventual elimination of property taxes. He noted that public safety accounts for 58.5% of the city’s $2 billion general fund budget, and many expenditures (e.g., economic incentives, Medicaid, KHA) could not be funded with ad valorem taxes under the bill’s restrictions. Council members Salem, Freeman, and President‑Elect Howland discussed the need to focus on “core local government” and prepare for possible revenue losses.
  • 2026-0363 – Private Providers for Subdivision Regulations: Council Member Diamond introduced a substitute ordinance to allow private providers (licensed engineers) to review and approve subdivision plans, engineering plans, plats, and landscaping plans, mirroring state law. He argued it would reduce costs and enable more affordable housing. Council Members Gay, Freeman, Amaro, White, and President‑Elect Howland spoke in support, citing efficiency and liability protections. Director of Public Works Nina Sickler recommended a one‑day training/optional exam for private providers; Diamond agreed to discuss before the next LUZ committee. The substitute passed 7‑0.
  • 2026-0387 – School Board Referendum (One Mill Tax): Ordinance to place on the November 3, 2026 ballot a referendum to continue the additional one mill ad valorem tax for school operational purposes through June 30, 2031. Approved 5‑2 (Salem and Freeman nay).
  • 2026-0452 – Goodwill Summer Youth Works Program: An emergency substitute ordinance originally appropriating $75,000 from District 8 traffic calming funds was amended to appropriate $150,000 from General Fund Operating Reserves, increasing the number of participants from 25 to 50, and placing oversight under the Grants and Contract Compliance Division. Council Member Gaffney Jr. advocated for the program, saying it would get youth working quickly. Council Member Freeman expressed procedural concerns but supported the outcome. Approved unanimously 7‑0.
  • 2026-0466 – Vision for Excellence Summer Program: Emergency ordinance appropriating $125,000 from the District 14 CBA contingency for a summer/after school program at Lew Brantley Park and McGirts Creek Community Center. An amendment removed a waiver of Section 110.112 (advance payment). Approved unanimously 7‑0.
  • Many other items were approved without significant debate, including amendments to the Meridian Waste contract (2026-0335), permit suspension procedures (2026-0378), Environmental Protection Board funding (2026-0382), DIA fee authority (2026-0383), Happy Brew vocational training (2026-0385), dockless mobility program expansion (2026-0389), and the Fostering Filmmakers grant program (2026-0396).
  • Appointments approved unanimously: Carmen Martinez to the Election Advisory Panel, Robyn Cenizal to the Eastside Grants Committee, Scott K. Thomas to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission, Geoffrey A. Youngblood to the TRUE Commission, C. Douglas Lane to the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission, Heather Rios to the Opioid & Substance Use Disorder Grants Committee. Also approved resolutions honoring Officer Adam “Sonny” Fluker Jr. (6 decades of service) and Officer/Bishop Antonio C. Richardson (life‑saving actions on the Dames Point Bridge).

Key Outcomes

  • Votes and Tallies:
    • 2026-0335 (Meridian Waste amendment): Approved 7‑0.
    • 2026-0363 (Private providers – subdivision): Substitute approved 7‑0.
    • 2026-0378 (Permit suspension/revocation): Amended and approved 7‑0.
    • 2026-0382 (Environmental Protection Fund): Approved 7‑0.
    • 2026-0383 (DIA fees): Approved 7‑0.
    • 2026-0385 (Happy Brew): Amended and approved 7‑0.
    • 2026-0387 (School referendum): Approved 5‑2 (Salem, Freeman opposed).
    • 2026-0389 (Dockless mobility): Approved 7‑0.
    • 2026-0396 (Filmmakers grants): Amended and approved 7‑0.
    • 2026-0452 (Goodwill summer youth): Emergency substitute approved 7‑0.
    • 2026-0466 (Vision for Excellence): Emergency amended approved 7‑0.
    • All appointments and commendation resolutions approved 7‑0.
  • Deferrals: Several items were deferred at the request of sponsors or due to public hearings (e.g., 2024-0627, 2024-0966, 2025-0775, 2026-0192, 2026-0203, 2026-0227, 2026-0318, 2026-0319, 2026-0320, 2026-0358, 2026-0364, 2026-0376). Council Member Diamond announced he would withdraw 2026-0364 (administrative deviations).
  • Next Steps: The committee concluded at 3:46 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2026. Several items were referred to the Finance and LUZ committees for further action.

Meeting Transcript

All right, welcome everyone to the June 1st rules committee meeting. We'll start out with introductions and uh let's please start with Mr. Dennis. Good afternoon, Garrett Dennis Administration. Colin Hamsey, Council Research. Carla Schell, Office of General Counsel. Tristy Carreher, Council Auditor's Office. Philip Peterson, Council Auditor. Canamar, City Council, District One. Randy White, District 12. Chris Miller at large group five. Ron Salem, group two at large. Mike Gay, district two. Nick Howland at large, group three. I'm here in a non-voting capacity, just visiting, probably for the first 30, 45 minutes. Thanks. Okay, thank you. We'll get started with public comments. We have one card. Uh Mr. Nooney, if you'll come down, please. Come on, Mr. Nooney. Hello. I am John J. Nooney. Jacksonville City Council resolution 2023 0819. I'm in City Council District 4, CPAC 3 School Board District 3. And yeah, I'll touch on uh 8356 Bascombe Road. Thank you. And uh, you know, first, you know, I just want to. Okay, I'll be touching on the big one's gonna be uh agenda item 21, 2026 0396. But uh I'm gonna start with uh a couple of uh donations. You know, first will be 2009 442, that's the Artificial Reef Trust Fund. The next one will be 2026 0004, that's the Parks Trust Fund, and then right after that is 2025 0463. That's the veterans trust fund. Now, the last time we did this, I'll tell you it was like a reunion up there. And I'll tell you, it's it's gonna be uh it works, it happens. And so, what are I'm just down to a minute forty-eight, but this one, you know, uh this one. I I mean, like I said, this is like a dream right here. Ordinance making certain findings and improve the authorization of the public investment policy, okay. OED to add endowment grants to the Jacksville Fostering Filmmakers Grant Program. Now, you know, I spoke to it at the public hearing. So, when you look at the bullet points, clarify that there is no maximum for the annual number of endowment grants that can be awarded. Amends the public investment policy to authorize endowment grants not to exceed 10,000 per grant, subject to available funding as part of the Jacksonville Fostering Filmmaker Grant Program. And this is massive. This is awesome. There are men sections of the Jacksonville Film and Television Office Trust Fund to include endowment grants within the authorized uses of funds. So here we go. We can have an OED.

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