Well good morning.

It is now 9:30, and we'll go ahead and get started with our last neighborhoods meeting of the 25-26 council year.

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

Delaney.

Good morning, y'all.

Bill Delaney with the administration.

Brandon Russell, Council Research.

Mary Stepopoulos, Office of General Counsel.

Philip Peterson, Council's Office.

Good morning, Michael Bylan, district six.

Randy White, District 12.

Mike Gay, District 2.

Morning, Chris Miller at large group five.

Ron Salem, group two at large.

Good morning, Tyrona Clark Murray, District 9.

All right, thank you all.

We'll go ahead and uh uh have our public comment time.

We've got a couple speaker cards.

We'll start with Mr.

Carnell Oliver.

If you would please come up, give your name and address, or say it's on file, and please speak directly to the bill, and you'll be given three minutes, sir.

Uh, yes, my name is Carnell, addresses on file.

What I'm speaking to is 2026 0458.

Um, surplus of land that's in city posit city possession.

The language of the bill talks about giving property to nonprofit.

I think that the language needs to be stricken and be donated after 30 days to Jacksonville Housing Authority because there's only one pot of money left for nonprofits can still benefit from.

And you also have Reggie Gaffman that serves on this council, and you got Jacoby Pittman that serves on this council.

I'm not surprised they filed this kind of bill.

It's security for the future.

Number two, dealing with this loan with Franklin Arms and changing certain standards and criteria for it.

I have no problem with it.

But the priorities, populations, and both these bills dealing with housing.

Number one, 458 and 457 need to have a criteria that fits standards of 1866 civil rights act.

Jim Crow is still very much alive.

And I'm making that very perfectly clear.

There are federal laws on the books that have not been enforced.

We talk about law and order, but when I come up here as a citizen, saying I want law and oil for black American.

If you donate this property, donate it to Jacksonville Housing Authority, and make a criteria that American freedmen get access to housing.

And if you're going to set the standards for this project development done with Franklin Arms, American freedmen have got to be a priority.

The language, especially where we've always been, is a priority.

And I'm also going to speak on topic of this.

I need a resolution sent to Congressman John Rutherford.

He sits on key jurisdiction committees.

And I need a re-authorization of the 1868-66 Civil Rights Act.

It is law on the books, it's just not being enforced on a local level.

And that is part of the conversation that we need to have.

We have laws on the books that should be enforced.

Alright, thank you.

Our next speaker is Mr.

John J.

Nooney.

Come on up, sir.

You'll get three minutes.

Give your name and address.

So it's on the file.

Or speak to the bill.

I am John J.

Nooney.

Jacksonville City Council Resolution 2023 0819.

I'm in City Council District 4.

CPAC Planning District 3 School Board District 3.

Y'all touch on a number of agenda items, you know.

Uh, want to start off with RD, the real address, Ocho Trade Cinco City, Spaskum Road, Jacksonville, Florida 3216.

Uh, you know, right now, okay.

I'm gonna just start off.

You know, 20 26, 000 4.

It's a trust fund for parks.

So I'm making a donation.

You know, and I'll take it up.

In fact, uh, I could probably just give it to um Mr.

Brochet right here, and the point is, you know, we're getting ready to market to the world.

Okay, agenda items.

You know, I'll touch on like uh 2024 0966, he got agenda item two, number four, 2026 0318.

You know, it's a ten dollar fee.

Is it five dollars or ten dollars?

Are we adding ten to the five?

You know, uh again, it's not in any of the CPACs, CPACs.

Like I said, went to an ethics commission meeting and asked.

We have six C PACs, the mayor's disability council, council on elder affairs.

Why is OGC, the Office of General Counsel not represented at these meetings?

And you know, it's crushing.

You know, Dylan Ryan Gold, you know, he's gone.

So, you know, uh, you may want to just defer this.

Is it in an emergency?

Okay, uh, number seven, 2026 0358 vessels, it's not in waterways.

You got Marshall Atkinson, you know, he used to be on waterways.

We're gonna allow for additional service charges, vessels as a separate vehicle type.

I mean, this is massive stuff.

Okay, 2026 0492, uh 2026 0493.

Here, this is trust fund stuff, you know, and 2026 0494.

You know, let's just spread the wealth on that one.

And you know what I want to do, you know.

I don't know if anybody watched the Florida channel, but like I said, oh, and you know, here we here we go.

Because you got here's St.

John's County, we're gonna go to them tomorrow, right here, and the strategic plan.

Everyone's got a strategic plan.

Well, the biggest plan should be public access on our waterways.

That should be the biggest plan for the world, especially for Duval County.

And uh, so anyway, here's the map, you know, for downtown and the kayak launch, it ain't on here, so don't visit Jacksonville.

All right, thank you.

Our next uh speaker will be Marshall Atkins.

Come on down, you'll get three minutes, give you name and address or say it's on the record, Marshall Atkinson.

Well, 345 Phillips Highway.

What else did you need, Mike?

Name and address.

Yeah, just name and address.

Well, I'm probably gonna be a little shorter or I could be longer on this one here.

Um, what started out to be a city ordinance?

Two of them actually that were written real old, real long.

Um, and quite frankly, horribly based on everything.

We we spent over a year now writing these two ordinances to get them passed, and then uh we didn't have any conversation with anybody, everyone seemed to be okay with it until last time two weeks ago, I think it was when we came in here and we found out risk management wanted to get involved in it.

By no means am I throwing anyone under the bus, but I I couldn't figure out after a zoom meeting that happened, an individual that is very strong in the city, my understanding is the number two guy in risk management, why he would push so hard and come up with things like Ferrari and everything like this.

Gentlemen, ladies, I don't know how to say it, but when you're an insurance agent and you own an insurance company, and your son writes my insurance policies, we have a conflict of interest here, and we have a due diligence as council members to look at administration and find out why they have people like that in their staff.

I didn't choose this, that's not where I wanted to go, but these insurance requirements, we have to fix insurance reform first, then we can start talking about it.

Other than that, you're penalizing everybody else, and we have targets on our back all the time because of the requirements that we used to carry.

We found out by protecting ourselves what what would pushed the personal injury lawyers down the road.

And it's 500,000, 1 million, umbrella policies, it kicks it down the road.

They don't mess with us anymore.

Private lawsuits disappear.

I can't fix the insurance.

That's a state level thing, but somewhere along it has to be young.

But I just couldn't believe that we have someone like that speaking harshly about the reasons why we need to be.

And I challenge anyone to check in the state of Florida or any city municipal palace, any FHP has ever been sued over a towing company.

It has not, there isn't one case because we don't have a contract.

We have an agreement to tow, and that's all we have is an agreement to tow.

And if you raise these rates to the $500,000 limit that the city wants now, you're gonna lose good companies like myself because we're not gonna do it anymore.

Thank you.

Alright, thank you, sir.

All right.

Going to our agenda, uh, I'm gonna take up a few items first, and then we'll go back to the beginning of our agenda.

So if you would turn to page page nine, we'll take up item number 13.

Give you all a second to get there.

Item number 13, 2026 0446.

I get a motion on amendment.

I've got a motion and second on amendment, Mr.

Peterson.

Through the chair of the committee, the amendment would clarify that these changes are effective immediately.

Uh, would reference code section 352 101 within the boundary uh change section, as that's the section of our code that relates to boundary changes of polling locations.

Uh, include precinct 1110 within the list of precincts that are having boundary changes and attach to revised exhibit one to correct a couple addresses.

All right, thank you.

Miss Murray on the amendment.

Thank you, Chair.

Oh, he's already there.

Hey, good morning.

Good morning.

So I just want to know whether or not the changes increase or decrease the number of polling places for that particular um district.

Because I know there was an issue maybe a couple of years ago, maybe a year ago, in regards to there being more for one particular district than there was for other districts.

So does it change the number and and whether it increases or just decreases?

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Jerry Holland Supervisor of Elections 105 East Monroe Street.

Uh, the changes uh do not eliminate any uh polling locations or precincts.

Uh the changes are basically eight permanent changes, uh, one going back to where it was, two temporary changes because they're under renovations, and a couple of precinct line changes.

Uh, but none of these are reducing.

We're still at 160 polling locations, and it will continue to be at 160.

Thank you for that.

Thank you, Chair.

All right, thank you.

Let's go to council member Morrow.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Very quickly, I'm uh supporting the legislation.

I had a conversation with uh Mr.

Holland on the stand the need.

Uh, my only and and I want to make it public here.

Uh my only concern was early notification of the electorate so that folks don't just show up at their old precinct, find it close, and then they become upset.

And he has assured me that they will make uh a very diligent effort to reach uh those who may be affected to let them know as early as possible uh of the uh polling changes.

So I'm I'm supporting the bill.

Thank you, Jerry.

And through the chair, the process that we do is every voter that is impacted will get a new voter information card.

They will also get the indication on their sample ballot where their new precinct is.

We also will put signage at the previous location, so in case they don't look at their voter information card, don't look at their sample ballot.

You know, then when they show up, it will give them the location of where their polling location is.

We'll continue to do social media as well as interviews on these changes as we have done already, and we'll make sure that the voters are aware.

All right, thank you.

No other speakers in the queue.

Uh I as well want to go on the record.

Uh the a couple of these changes affect my uh precincts in my uh district.

Uh we're gonna we tried to find a good area that we can move them to.

Unfortunately, they're changing considerably uh so but we'll keep on trying to find a good place that uh be convenient to the community uh as we move forward.

So I've got a motion and a second on the amendment.

All in favor say yay.

Yay.

Any opposed likewise, none amendment carries.

Can I get a motion on a second on the bills amended?

I've got a motion second on the bills amended.

I have no speakers in the queue.

Open a ballot and record your vote.

Seven yes, zero nays.

By your action you approve 2026 0446.

The next item that I want to do.

Thank you, sir.

The next item will be on page 14.

Item number 19.

Hold on, all right.

Item number 19, 2026 0460.

Can you get a motion on the bill?

I've got a motion and a second on the bill.

No discussions.

Open about it, record your vote.

Seven yes, zero nays.

By your action, you approve 2026-0460.

That'll take us back to the beginning of our agenda.

Item number one, 2024 0966 is re deferred at repressed request of council president CARICO.

Item number two, 2025-0361 is deferred at the request of Councilmember White.

Item number three, 2026 0227 is deferred at request of councilmember Diamond.

Item number four, 2026-0318 is deferred at the request of Council Member Johnson.

Item number five, 2026 0319 is deferred at request of Councilmember Carlucci.

Item number six, 2026 0320 is deferred at the request of Councilmember White.

And then that takes us to item number seven, 2026 0358.

I've got a motion second on the bill.

So before we open the uh the queue here for discussion, I just want to give a little bit of information that the uh Miss McGillis is here and she'll be able to explain a little bit more.

I'm I'm wanting to uh offer an amendment to this bill if I could get someone to uh enter to support it, introduce it, and then Miss McGillis can explain it.

This basically the amendment will be to bring uh this bill in a line with FHP.

And that's all we've really with several other uh modifications to it, and so uh if we can get uh if I can get it introduced, I will let Miss McGillis uh walk through it and then we can have our discussion on the amendment microphone.

Is that sufficient?

So moved, okay.

All right, I've got a motion and a second.

Ms.

McGillis.

So under um in Florida statutes, 321 051.

The Florida Highway Patrol has a um towing system similar to what um the Jacimal sheriff's Office has set up in this municipality.

However, they the um qualifications, so if you're going to be a tow truck driver or a record operator that um wishes to be on this list is the tall top of list, um you have to meet the qualifications as set forth in code and then further by JSON one of the differences between how our code chapter 804 currently reads is in respect to insurance.

What insurance does the tow truck or record operator have to have in order to even be on our list?

Under the model of um FHP, FHB added a workers' compensation employer's liability insurance simply in the amount of Florida and federal law, not changing any numbers in that, as well.

The FHP model uses the terms uh garage liability insurance, things like that, which is the equivalent of what's in our code right now, the public liability insurance coverage, but then they have a separate provision which's called on hook.

So there's off hook what happens with the wrecker on the side of the road, uh, what happens in the garage facility, and then there's on hook, and this is all uh liability insurance coverage for the customer.

It's the you know the the blue Subaru that's on broken down on the side of the road, and then the wrecker is called because they're on the top of this list for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, and they come very quickly in order to get the traffic moving again.

So it's what happens to my blue Subaru if it gets in, you know, if the wrecker gets in a wreck and things like that.

So that's what this insurance is is about, and there um the FHP does a general liability at 300,000 combined, and then um a uh property aspect to it at $50,000, but that is both on hook and off hook.

So if you follow strictly the FHP model, you would be doing a public liability insurance coverage at 300,000, which is very similar to as it is now in the code, but then you would have the $50,000 for um property and um and then an on hook definition.

So it's all combined that would be following strictly the FHP model, all right.

Colonel Miller, recognize.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Through the chair, uh Mr.

Atkinson, you wouldn't you wouldn't mind coming forward.

I just want to you've heard the recommended changes in in the amendment that's been discussed.

I just wanted to get your input given your comments before.

Uh I'm sorry, confused because what she read off was exactly what we had all agreed upon.

I heard there was a change this morning to 500,000.

So is that there's no 500,000?

The amendment is basically the 300,000 and the 50, 50,000.

Yeah, we're fine with that.

As a matter of fact, if I'm not mistaken, we raised the 50,000 to 100,000 for the fact that someone may think it's about a vehicle.

Secondly, I want to point out another thing that as she was reading it, it hit me.

We don't carry passengers, so there's no the public doesn't ride in our vehicles, only their vehicle rides on our vehicles.

If that makes any sense to you for liability side, and maybe that's why there's never been a lawsuit.

Colonel Miller, good, good.

Uh Dr.

Salem.

Thank you, Chair.

Through the chair, Mr.

Atkinson.

You've been very vocal and appearing at all our committee meetings.

Is there an organization of people that do what you do?

And are you, are you speaking for them?

Are they all comfortable with the 350 to your knowledge?

Oh, absolutely.

Everyone is.

A lot of them that we talk to.

They're sort of scared to come and be vocal because they're worried about retaliation.

I on the other hand look at this as an open form, it's a democracy, and I feel it needs to be discussed.

And if you have a case or you have a point, I'm willing to listen, but to make personal injury lawyers and insurance agents getting 20% of 1.5 million dollars, that's a lot of money for someone to get just to raise the insurance around that has never needed or been used.

But let me restate my question.

Okay.

Um, is there a formal organization or yeah, there's professional records of Florida, the Southeast uh towing association, both of them I'm part of, and both of them I've worked with and both of them I've been on on their uh teams, if you want to say, and we have a meeting every year, and then we have a meeting in uh usually uh July.

And what through the chair, you're saying that this organization has endorsed or is comfortable with the 350 that was read as part of this amendment.

Oh, yes, sir.

Anything to keep the the 500 million dollars off our backs and the personal injury lawyers off our writing us every day, it's the amount of time we lose in answering that.

That's the cost.

I understand.

I I'm confused where this 500.

I heard of 500 a few minutes ago.

Where is that coming from?

Uh, through the chair to Mr.

Peterson.

To the chair, um, I have heard that the 500 is the amount that uh the risk management division would like to be included.

Have they pres through the chair?

Have they presented that or given a justification for that?

I'd have to defer to either them or Miss McGillis.

I'm not I have not been involved in any conversations related to it.

Okay.

I I've not heard that.

They've not met with me or uh or endorsed that to my knowledge, I've not heard that.

So if this is if this is consistent with FHP, I'll support it.

Thank you.

Let me go ahead to Mr.

Delaney to if you've got a response to Dr.

Salem.

Uh yes, through the chair uh to Dr.

Salem and the body.

Um the 500 number uh that originate from conversations this weekend.

I believe we have I don't know if Tracy's here, but I think okay.

Yeah, we're we're we're good with this.

Yes, all right.

Let's uh council member Clark Murray.

You're good.

Councilmember Wollen.

Thank you, Mr.

Chad.

I certainly want to support the amendment.

I'd appreciate it if we can have a that in writing by the rules, it would be helpful because it sounds like it's a little bit more than just uh the limitations on insurance.

But uh since it's your amendment, I will support it.

All right, thank you, sir.

Let's go to uh council member.

Thank you, uh Mr.

Chair.

Um Marshall.

I um I'm gonna support the amendment, but I had a cure uh question for uh Marshall.

Um his company has served this community for the last god 30 40 years and with integrity given the fact that there are some cowboy uh towing companies out there.

So I can say that you've been a stand-up guy.

But uh through the chair, I heard you said a second ago that you were comfortable with the uh property uh cap being at 100.

Uh would you still be comfortable if that was raised uh from the 50?

Yes, and if if I may, can we ask the attorney back here who wrote it?

Because I thought she had put the hundred in there as the change instead of the 50,000.

Ms.

McGillis will explain.

So when I was up earlier, I was speaking strictly about FHP directly if you follow them absolutely numbers and close to word for word.

There is another alternative, and that's what uh Mr.

Atkinson is speaking of, which is um FHP modified is what we're calling it.

So you would do the general liability, which is um bodily injury and some property capped at 300,000 plus 50,000 for uh property insurance off hook, meaning the blue Subaru off hook.

Um but then separate and apart from that is on hook.

And on hook liability would be the second the uh record in any way, shape or form, sometimes it's a hook, sometimes it's a dolly, whatever.

We're just calling it on hook for ease.

On hook liability at 100,000.

So you would take 300 plus 50 plus 100.

That is the modified FHP uh liability structure, through the chair to Ms.

McGinnis Gillis.

Um so that 100 number is within the amendment right now, not at present.

At present the amendment covers FHP model strictly and did not break that aspect out.

So right now uh you are sitting at an amendment that does a 300,000 lie on general liability with a $50,000 property which combines both on hook and off hook property.

The modified, which would be an amendment to your amendment would be $300,000 for the general liability, $50,000 for off-hook property, and $100,000 for on hook property liability.

Thank you.

Through the chair to uh Marshall, are you okay with that?

Yes, sir, and one of the reasons I wanted to go ahead and get the $100 added in there right away is because people like Ferrari, people like Marzarati, that's what they have they wanted a uh on hook moved up to $100.

So if it's good for companies like that that have real risk out there, and we transport those vehicles all the way to Tampa and Orlando, it's good enough for the city.

Thank you, Marshall.

Through the chair to Marshall.

If you've been shopping for a vehicle lately, you know the domestics are in the 70, 80,000 rate.

So I I'd like to suggest an amendment to the amendment of adding the uh 100 if the chair would entertain that.

All right, I've got a motion and a second on amendment to the amendment, Ms.

Mary.

Uh through the chair to the committee.

So the amendment to the amendment would provide that we would revise the insurance requirements in the legislation for the code to follow the modified FHP amounts as stated by Miss McGillis.

And if that passes, Mr.

Chair, then you would take up the amendment as amended and vote on that.

All right, so let's go to council member Clark Murray on the amendment to the amendment.

Thank you.

And I think when I threw the chair to the body, one of the the last time we discussed this particular bill, one of the um variables that uh Mr.

Peterson mentioned was the fact that vehicles cost more and the values more, so that's one of the reasons why they were the um risk management was thinking about or had considered raising the increasing the amount.

So I think that it's wise to do so, and I think it would help to satisfy.

I think there's someone in the audience um from risk management, I'm not sure, who I think it's wise to do so because considering you have various types of cars and the cost, the value of cars has increased.

So I um I will uh I will agree or approve the amendment.

All right, I got no other speakers in the queue on the amendment to the amendment, so we'll take a vote on the amendment to the amendment.

All in favor say yay.

Yay.

Any opposed?

Likewise, none.

The amendment carries.

Do we still need to vote on?

So now.

So now so now we would.

I'm sorry.

All right so I've got a motion second on the amendment all in favor of amendments say yay.

Yay.

Any opposed likewise none the amendment carries so can I get a motion and a second on the bill as amended.

I've got a motion and a second on the bill as amended those speakers in the queue so open the ballot and record your vote.

Seven yes zero nays all right by your action you've approved 2026 0358 Mr Atkinson for all your efforts next item be number eight 2026 zero three six four and a motion to own the withdrawal I've got a motion second on the withdrawal no speakers then the queue open the ballot and according to vote.

Seven yay and zero nays by your action you approve the withdrawal of 2026 zero three six four item number nine 2026 037 is deferred at request of council member johnson item number 10 2026 0418 on the bill the bill I've got a motion and a second on the bill colonel miller you're recognized.

Thank you Mr.

Chair um I'm not sure who this question is for but I've wanted to see do we know um what this does to the parking spaces inventory for that area and the out years um is is anybody able to to speak to that to me that's that's the important part I think this in my opinion this needs to be done because of what we found um regarding safety related matters associated with uh JSO operations in that parking garage I get that and I support that but I also want us to know what the impact is going to be long term not just now I saw the numbers which it's a minimal impact on us right now for the growth and development that's projected I think that's something we need to come to terms with I still support this but I want to make sure we're fully aware of the impact and we're factoring that in to future growth.

So maybe that's a statement but if somebody does know that we have assessed that and knows that now I would be interested in that through the chair.

All right Mr Weinstein you want to address that.

Mike Weinstein mayor's office uh yes um this is an example of uh contracts that we make with entities um that then come back and want an adjustment and this is an adjustment for uh a legitimate reason JSO came and wanted it um it adds to the challenge uh not only we challenged in the state the stadium area we're also challenging this area as well um the challenge continues to get greater but we'll have to come up with creative ideas but it does change the inventory going forward no question about it but this needs to be done so we'll deal with it as we move forward but but parking in general is going to be as we get better and better at doing things downtown, more and more uh challenging.

All right, thank you you.

You go okay, all right.

Let's go to council member bowlin.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Through the chair to mr.

Peterson.

Two questions.

Uh, number one, uh obviously it eliminates the obligation of uh to to repay the the grant, yet in the summary would we say there's no cost to the city, but in fact, obviously by not re collecting that grant.

Can you speak to the impact and and where that uh is gonna show up in the t and and the balance sheet?

Through the chair to Councilmember Boylan.

So just to lay a foundation, the city incentivized Blue Cross Blue Shield to build this parking garage back in 2019, and at completion of the garage, gave them a 3.5 million dollar uh grant.

It was only due back to the city if they failed to provide public parking on nights, weekends, and holidays.

Up to this point they have met that requirement, but with JSO moving in and using that facility, it now becomes very difficult for them to meet that requirement.

So it does remove the requirement that they pay the city back.

Uh I guess technically they're in they would be in violation once JSO gets fully up and running, but it's also uh almost unfair to require them to do that when we're the ones who are occupying the facility.

So I would venture to say, based on their prior performance, that they would not owe the city the money back because they've continued to provide the public parking.

Um that I don't remember the time frame, it was a rather extended time frame, probably 20 plus years.

Um, but to my knowledge, uh, based on conversations I've had with JSON DIA, they have operated as a public parking facility on the nights and weekends up until this moment.

My question again is where is that appear in the ledger in terms of reconciling the three and a half million?

Through the chair, I don't believe that it would have been recorded.

Sorry, I don't believe that it would have been recorded anywhere on the city's books because they were in operating um in accordance with the agreement, and so it will just be uh for given um grant, if you will.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Uh, second question to the chair to Mr.

Peterson.

Uh I am uh could you help explain to me the third bullet point on the amendment removability for BCAS to terminate?

I just don't quite understand that language.

Through the chair to Councilmember Boylan.

So there was a provision in the uh 2019 agreement with Blue Cross that if they wanted to get out of providing public parking, they could terminate and pay the city back that 6.67 million.

Uh given that they're not going to do that.

We're restriking that portion of the language from the agreement.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

All right, thank you.

Let's go to a council member Amorrow.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, I'm supporting the legislation.

I understand the why.

Uh JSO is going to be in that building for uh at least 16 years for the lease agreement, and um will need uh the parking uh 24-7.

I just want to make a quick comment, and it's been touched on already, and this is when you have the lack of foresight, um, you end up with situations like this because that area is developing.

We just opened the whole foods.

There's an apartment community, Adler and Oak, and the growth hasn't stopped, but there's no parking, and so it's gonna be a challenge for uh the municipality and the leadership to how to um accommodate the public to encourage them to go in those destinations to use those entities because our natural behavior is that if I can't find a place to park, I'm not going.

And and and consequently, we're facing that crisis because, in my opinion, the lack of foresight, just the commentary.

All right, thank you.

Let's go to Dr.

Salem next.

Thank you, Chair.

Just a couple of comments.

Uh I spoke to JSO at length, and the number of cars that are parking in this garage on the allotted times, is maybe a dozen over a month.

I mean, the revenue generated, and I don't have the numbers in front of me.

I I had them upstairs, it's like fifty dollars as I recall, something very small.

So it's it's not like this parking garage is being used by a bunch of people presently.

Now I understand the future.

The other side of this, we are moving the police memorial building out of where they are to Blue Cross, and we will get that space, and I don't know what we're gonna do with that space.

I've heard we might tear down that building, creating a bunch of potential parking or something else there, waiting for the jail to move, and then you've got a whole big space there for to be used for something.

Uh whatever that is, it's well beyond my time on the council.

So I'm very supportive of this.

If I thought this parking was desperately needed, I would have pause, but no one's parking there presently.

And there are areas near there that they can park on on uh evenings and I mean uh weekends and such to to uh to take care of them.

So I'll be a yes, thank you.

All right, thank you.

Let's go to council member Clark Murray.

Thank you, Chair.

Through the chair to Mr.

Peterson, you mentioned six point seven million, and I know that the um forgiveness for this is um three five.

So where did the six what has this cost us to overall?

So through the chair to Councilmember Clark Murray, when this was originally contemplated, Blue Cross Blue Shield had a surface parking lot on the river where the Fidelity building now resides.

So to incentivize Blue Cross to get off the river for parking, the city had a piece of property, uh, not the entire piece of property where the current parking garage exists at park and forest, but a portion of that um was also an incentive.

So the 6.67 was the value of the land along with the completion grant that was provided to uh Blue Cross to build the garage.

And so through the chair to Mr.

Peterson, so blue Rucos, Blue Shield, they provided half of that amount.

Through the chair to Councilmember Clark Murray.

Um I don't know the amount that Blue Cross provided because they built the garage.

So they had a they had a parcel of land, not the entire parcel where the parking garage exists, but they had a parcel or multiple parcels, but they also constructed the full cost of the garage.

In turn, they sold their land on the river to Fidelity for them to build their headquarters.

All right, thank you for that.

Thank you, Chair.

All right, thank you.

Let's go back to Dr.

Salem.

Thank you, Chair.

I didn't see Mr.

Rapp Tyler is back there.

Tyler, do you can you come up and just clarify the amount of parking that's going into that garage presently so that uh I'm so that uh my numbers are I think they're close, but I know you did some research on this.

Tyler Rapport with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, and I have Director Parker here uh over services with me.

Uh yes, we pulled the parking data for that garage for the past two years um in 2025, uh it generated uh $994 uh total, which averages out to about $83 a month.

So we're talking about maybe 15 or 20 cars.

The rates there are two dollars per hour uh with a ten dollar max per day.

So just estimating probably 15 15 cars over a month, something like that.

And I actually wanted to let uh Director Parker, he has some information uh to some other options that are available to the public uh in that area.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Uh the FIS building, which is across Riverside from Florida Blue has name and address.

I'm sorry.

Alan Parker, Director of Services 501 East Bay.

Um they have 130 spaces that are allotted for public parking free of charge.

It's nights, weekends, holidays, and it's right across the street from Florida Blue.

And through the chair, I believe those spaces, and you might not know this, were identified for the park that's down there, and some previous legislation.

I'm I'm looking at Mr.

Peterson.

Through the chair, my recollection is that um when the city incentivized Fidelity to build their headquarters, part of that negotiation was that a number of spots would be available to the public for anywhere access along Riverside Avenue.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you both.

Yes sir thank you.

Let me go to uh Colonel Miller next.

Thanks Mr.

Chair.

Yeah through the chair I I think um everyone has has hone in on the concern it's you know looking long term and I heard the word foresight and I don't think anyone disputes what the current situation is but I think just an awareness as Mr Weinstein and and others here have talked about we just need to look as it's growing as that area and it's Brooklyn helping downtown area won't help the people for the growth in Brooklyn area.

They won't be parking downtown and going over to Brooklyn.

So I just want to make sure we're focused on the right area which is Brooklyn and that we are looking long term and that's good we're all administration the council we're all looking at three five ten years down the road what are we going to need and and the infrastructure is always the challenge and waiting for the the year of the need is is too late.

So I just I'm I'm pleased to see that we're and here that we're all looking at that mid and long term period and what the needs will be but for now I'll I'll reiterate I'm I'm supportive of this because we have to do this safety wise supporting JSON so thank you very much Mr.

Chair.

All right thank you let me go to council member bowling.

Thank you Mr.

Chair Director Barker if you wouldn't mind coming back down for a quick second uh notwithstanding we just heard about the FIS building and parking over there will any of these 742 spaces be available to the public who are utilizing the facility handicapped parking or others or is there a portion that's going to be set aside for access for people using the the new police headquarters through the chair to the committee so anybody that's coming on JSO business because that's where the public counter is going to be along with the district one substations we actually have HR recruiting in there as well tele serves in there anybody coming to use that facility absolutely or use those services absolutely will be parking there.

That's very helpful thank you.

I assume that to be the case I just want to affirm it.

Yes sir.

All right thank you let me go to council member morrow.

Director Barker I was going to let you walk back in the while I just expound on that and and I think through the chair I think um what folks are missing here is you guys that that parking garage is is going to be yours completely for the different services that you're mentioning for the workforce for the entire term of the lease.

Yes sir correct yes sir so that it's not just parking that's going to take place there it's and so I understand again I understand the why I'm supporting this I was just my comments earlier through the chair was you know DIA and every one other party involved if they were looking 10 20 years down the road uh we probably would not be having this conversation but anyway yes sir that that's it yes sir thank you thank you all right thank you no other speakers in the queue uh let's go ahead and open the ballot and record your vote six yeah zero and these by your action you approve 2026 0418 that takes us to our next item number 11 2026 0444 can I get a motion on the withdrawal withdrawal and a motion and a second on the withdrawal no speakers in the queue open a ballot and record your vote.

Seven yes, zero and nays.

By your action to approve 2026, 0444 withdrawal.

Next item number 12, 2026, 0445 is deferred at the request of Council Member Caluso.

Item number 14, 2026, 0448 is deferred at the request of the Housing and Development Commission.

Item number 15, 2026, 0449 is deferred at the request of the Housing and Community Development Commission.

Item number 16, 2026, 0450.

Okay, get a motion on the bill.

I've got a motion and a second on the bill.

No speakers in the queue.

Open the ballot and record your vote.

7 yes, 0 nays.

By your action to approve 2026, 0450.

Item number 17, 2026, 0457.

Can I get a motion on the amendment?

I've got a motion of second on the amendment.

Mr.

Peterson.

Through the chair of the committee, the amendment attaches the revised exhibit one, which is your BT to correct some account information.

It also attaches the revised exhibit three, which is the loan term sheet to clarify the term of the loan and then also include a definition of the project and then correct various scriptures in the bill.

All right.

Councilmember Bowlin on the amendment.

If I might, uh Mr.

Chair, I'd like to.

Or should we take them up separately?

Through the chair to Councilmember Boylan.

My recommendation to the chair was to take care of the technical amendments and then address the other two.

And if they need to be rolled up at the end, they can be.

I'm just shooting across the bow here that I'm going to go ahead and move the amendment.

But go out.

Yes, I'm good for the moment then.

Alright, so right now we just got the technical amendment on the on the floor.

Dr.

Salem on the okay.

So all we've got a motion and second on the technical amendments.

All in favor of the technical amendment say yay.

Any opposed likewise, none.

The technical amendment moves.

Now Mr.

Bowlin, you recognize.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I again I'd like to move the recommended audit auditor amendments.

All right, I've got a motion, second on auditor's amendment.

Mr.

Peterson.

Through the chair to the committee.

So the um auditor recommended amendments are to clarify in the term sheet that if there are any closing expenses, they will be paid for by JHA or the housing authority.

Um the city cannot cover closing expenses, and so just clarifying that for if they occur and then also to disperse the loan on a work performed in the invoice basis rather than advancing them the funds and them having to substantiate they will do the work, they will not have to pay the bill, they'll submit the invoices to the city.

We'll review and then disperse funds to them.

Mr.

Chair, through the uh for the record, my conversation with Corbett on Ms.

Corbin on Friday, affirming that these amendments were acceptable to the board.

All right, thank you.

Let me go to Dr.

Salem.

Okay.

Of the auditor's recommended amendment, say yay.

Yay.

Any opposed?

Likewise, none.

Amendment carries.

Dr.

Salem, you recognize.

Thank you, Chair.

The other comment that the uh auditors made is about using the general fund.

It's a short-term loan of three years.

Um, seems to me we can save some money by using the general fund and not going out and borrowing this money for three years.

I rarely like to dip into the general fund, but I think under these circumstances and having discussed this with Mr.

Peterson on Friday, it seems like a reasonable approach under these specific circumstances.

So I'll make that amendment as well.

All right, I've got a motion and a second on the salem auditor amendment.

No discussion all in favor say yay any opposed likewise none that amendment carries we can this miss mary let's roll them all up can I get a motion and a second on the bill as amended bill is amended I've got a motion second on the bill as amended councilmember Clark Murray recognized through the chair to Ms Depopolis um I know that we have several apartments um such as this one throughout the city does the city actually own the apartments who owns them through the chair to councilmember Clark Murray the housing authority owns these apartments they acquired them two or three years ago um but they are the sole owner of the apartments okay I just want to make sure all right thank you all right let's go to uh council member bowling I'm a firm believer less is more if we're good on this I'm gonna go ahead and I I encourage you having a conversation with Ms.

Corbett at some point in time as we all know the history of flank on arms it's empty now and we're moving forward in the confidence that we're going to see the funding necessary to uh build what's planned there so I'll leave it at that all right thank you let me go to Colonel Miller thank you chair through the chair to the auditors or general counsel I just wanted to clarify um for the record is this anticipated to be a standard three year two percent loan paid back or is there something some nuance to this that that would change this situation so I I whenever we go into the general fund uh I'm in agreement with um past president Salem on on doing this if this is all straightforward so I just wanted clarification on that loan the loan terms to the chair to council member miller um so this is a three year loan at two percent interest rate that will be have a balloon payment at the end of the three year term um so if that falls outside of standard not sure exactly uh your expectations um the housing authority indicated that they were going to borrow from their line of credit to do this um had the city not extended this opportunity so it just provides an ultimate cost savings to them in the end all right so I've got a motion second on the bill as amended no other speakers in the queues open the ballot and record your vote seven yes zero and a's by your action you've approved 2026 0457 our next item number eighteen 2026 zero four five eight can a motion on the bill I've got a motion second on the bill no speakers in the queue open a ballot and record your vote seven yes zero and a's by your action you approve 2026 0458 item number 19 we've already taken action on item number 20 2026 0463 gonna get a motion on the amendment I've got a motion and second on the amendment Mr.

Peterson through the chair to the committee the amendment uh corrects some language as it relates to the city's funding of the ballpark improvements and then also attaches a revised exhibit one BT to correct some account information all right doctor Salem on the amendment all right no other speakers on the amendment all in favor of the amendment say yay any opposed likewise none the amendment carries a motion second on the bill is amended.

I've got a motion and second on the bill is amended.

Dr.

Salem.

Thank you, Chair.

I'm supportive of this.

Uh I don't know if Ms.

Brochet or miss sickler, either one can come forward the the thirty six million was what was appropriated, and this is a question four or five years ago for the ballpark for the renovations of the ballpark.

Is that correct?

Good morning, Annabershea Finance.

I'm sorry, through the chair to Councilman Salem.

I missed your question.

The $36 million roughly was appropriated four or five years ago by the council for the renovations of the ballpark.

No, I think Mr.

Peterson might have more detail, but it's been over a period of time.

It was originally 31.8.

Maybe it was even smaller than that beginning.

Through the chair to council Salem.

So it the city met that 36 million roughly over four uh period four years beginning in fiscal year 2223 was the initial at 10 million, 2324 was 10.5 million, 24 25 11.3, and then this most recent budget of 3.5 million.

But through the chair, what that was all appropriated that that those allotments were approved by the council four or five years ago.

That's correct.

The agreement for the improvements to the ballpark were approved, I believe, four or five years ago.

Uh Ms.

Brochet is correct.

It initially started at a lower dollar amount.

It was amended to increase it to that 35, I think it's 35-6 number that is the current um total.

And these dollars through the chair are predominantly being used to get the bullpen away from the uh um the area behind first base and third base and put it behind the uh behind the wall in the outfield, correct?

Through the chair to Councilmember Salem, that's correct.

This appropriation is the majority of the 700,000 is related to the bullpen.

I and I know that's a requirement for major league baseball as I understand it, as well as a safety issue.

If you're a baseball fan, um there are baseball players that just stand there behind the catcher to make sure he didn't take one in the head uh during warmups like this.

So I think it's important that we do this, and I'll be supportive.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Let's go to Colonel Miller.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Through the chair, I I just wanted to uh ask the auditors from a financial perspective here.

Any I don't see anything listed here, any concerns here.

We've we've gone up again.

We have another project, and and it's appears it needs to be done to comply with um major league baseball requirements.

Um, but are there any financial concerns here on how this is being done?

Through the chair to council member Miller, um ultimately this is a policy decision.

The current agreement with the Jumbo Shrimp um re puts cost overruns of the entirety of the project on them.

So the city slash council has no obligation to fund this these additional dollars.

We've met the max already for the $35.5 million that's in the agreement.

So you have no obligations.

The funding source for this are other dollars that are set aside for um capital related items at the ballpark, specifically um concourse lighting and a door lock slash key replacement will not be done this year because of this appropriation.

Um so you are postponing a little bit um items that would be done at the ballpark, items that are needed to be done.

The other item that I will draw your attention to is that um a funding source for capital improvements at the ballpark is the convention development tax, which when the new Jaguar Stadium comes on board fully in 2028, um, the ballpark will no longer receive convention development dollars.

All of that will be directed towards the stadium.

So there is there is some level of uh financial aspect to you approving this that uh dollars will ultimately need to be redirected to the ballpark at some point in time to address the matters that need to be addressed.

Thank you very much.

That was very helpful, otherwise wouldn't have heard it and it wouldn't have been part of our public uh discussion here on the matter.

So thank you very much through the chair.

All right, thank you.

So no other speakers in the queue.

So I'll make my statements on this.

The item that's very concerning to me about this is in the bullet point number three, cost overruns.

And I just I'm that's where I've got pause at this, because we're uh we've got another project going on down there that we're supposed to not incur cost overruns.

If this was identified as something else, then then I could support it.

But I see the cost overrun setting a precedence that uh things are going to come back to us, wanting us to uh take that responsibility that we shouldn't shouldn't be taking that cost responsibility and postponing other items that uh we need done there that that's that's uh definitely concerning uh with that.

So that that's that's uh where I won't be able to support this.

So let's open the ballot and record your vote.

Six years, one nay.

By your action, you've approved 2026 0463.

That takes us to item number 21, and these next items are on second reading 2026 0489, 0490, 0491, 0492, 0493, 0494, 0495, 0496, 0497, 0498, and 0499.

So that takes us to the end of our agenda, and I would just like to uh address the committee that uh I so appreciate uh your work that you've done on this this uh committee here.

Um it's we may not have always agreed on everything, but uh we did what we were supposed to do for the people, and I commend each and every one of you for that, all the support uh Philip, Mary, Rebecca, uh Brandon, and even you, Bill.

So you know we I appreciate everybody's due diligence on the on the on this committee, and uh with that we've got a uh small token of uh appreciation that I've given to you from me and my family.

They uh help me pull all this together, and so uh you've got your best neighbor award coffee mug, and so every morning you're drinking your coffee, you can remember this committee.

And so with that, let me go to council member white.

Yes, sir.

I'll just like to thank you for your leadership.

This year has been drama-free.

You run a good ship, and I appreciate the gift.

Thank you.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Dr.

Salem, past president of saying, thank you.

Uh this was a this is a challenging committee to get as a first-time chair.

It's a lot of moving parts because it's always the first committee where any legislation is introduced, and we've watched you grow into that over the last uh several months, and uh it has been drama free, and we've had some robust discussions, but you've always been able to kind of bring it together, and we seem to always get a vote, which I think most of us are comfortable with.

So congratulations on your tenure.

Thank you.

Uh this council member bowling.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I I did owe the remarks, my colleague uh councilman Salem.

I think you've grown a lot this past year.

I know a lot of uncertainty going into it.

As former chair of this neighborhoods committee.

It is we plow the field, it is.

And you did a great job of doing that this year, and I look forward to your leadership going forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Colonel Miller.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Uh to the chair.

Thank you very much.

Um echoing what others have said, but I want to make sure I also say appreciate your leadership, appreciate your calm approach.

I appreciate your inclusion of all perspectives and everyone having an opportunity to have their voice heard.

That doesn't always happen, and especially on the front end, when we get the first shot in neighborhoods and anything that comes through, it sometimes can get a little little interesting, I'll put it that way.

So I thank you for leading your leading in a calm way through those difficult situations, and we look forward to uh what you're going to do next as we work together going forward in the coming year.

Thank you.

Right, thank you.

And I also like to give uh council president carico the uh much much thanks for entrusting this committee to me.

With that, we are adjourned.

Oh, I just want to say that on all that's been said, and and I think one of the things that gets overlooked in leadership is uh having an uh uh a listening ear, and what you've demonstrated in past years that you listen, whether you agree or disagree, and and I think that is um inherent to strong leadership, having the ability to listen.

So thank you for that.

All right, thank you.

Thank you all for your kind words, and we are adjourned.