OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jacksonville Neighborhoods Committee Meeting – June 15, 2026

City Council — Monday, June 15, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:44
Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Well good morning.

0:07

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

0:18

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

0:24

Delaney.

0:26

Good morning, y'all.

0:27

Bill Delaney with the administration.

0:29

Brandon Russell, Council Research.

0:31

Mary Stepopoulos, Office of General Counsel.

0:33

Philip Peterson, Council's Office.

0:35

Good morning, Michael Bylan, district six.

0:40

Randy White, District 12.

0:42

Mike Gay, District 2.

0:44

Morning, Chris Miller at large group five.

0:46

Ron Salem, group two at large.

0:49

Good morning, Tyrona Clark Murray, District 9.

0:52

All right, thank you all.

0:54

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

1:01

We've got a couple speaker cards.

1:04

We'll start with Mr.

1:06

Carnell Oliver.

1:08

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.

1:19

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

1:22

What I'm speaking to is 2026 0458.

1:27

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

1:32

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

1:37

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.

1:52

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

2:00

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

2:03

It's security for the future.

2:06

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

2:16

I have no problem with it.

2:18

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

2:24

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

2:35

Jim Crow is still very much alive.

2:40

And I'm making that very perfectly clear.

2:43

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

2:48

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

2:57

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

3:08

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.

3:18

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

3:24

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

3:27

I need a resolution sent to Congressman John Rutherford.

3:33

He sits on key jurisdiction committees.

3:37

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

3:43

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

3:50

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

3:55

We have laws on the books that should be enforced.

4:02

Alright, thank you.

4:03

Our next speaker is Mr.

4:04

John J.

4:05

Nooney.

4:06

Come on up, sir.

4:07

You'll get three minutes.

4:09

Give your name and address.

4:10

So it's on the file.

4:12

Or speak to the bill.

4:16

I am John J.

4:18

Nooney.

4:19

Jacksonville City Council Resolution 2023 0819.

4:23

I'm in City Council District 4.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████████27%
Procedural████████████████████20%
Transportation Safety██████████████████18%
Fiscal Sustainability██████████10%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Miscellaneous███████7%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Jacksonville Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting – June 15, 2026

The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee of the Jacksonville City Council met on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Council Chamber. The meeting was convened by Chair Mike Gay and adjourned at 10:39 AM. Seven members were present: Gay, White, Salem, Miller, Amaro, Boylan, and Clark-Murray. The committee acted on a wide range of items including towing regulations, parking agreements, polling place changes, affordable housing loans, and ballpark improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Carnell Oliver spoke on items 2026-0458 and 2026-0457. He urged that surplus city-owned land listed for affordable housing be donated to the Jacksonville Housing Authority rather than non-profits, and argued that African American freedmen should be prioritized in housing criteria, citing the 1866 Civil Rights Act. He also requested a resolution to Congressman John Rutherford for reauthorization of the act.
  • John J. Nooney commented on several agenda items, questioning a proposed $10 filing fee (item 2026-0318), raising concerns about towing and vessel regulations (item 2026-0358), and urging public access on waterways as a strategic priority. He also referenced trust fund issues and requested broader distribution of funds.
  • Marshall Adkinson, a towing company owner, spoke on item 2026-0358 (towing ordinance). He expressed strong opposition to proposed higher insurance requirements (e.g., $500,000 limits) advocated by the city’s risk management, arguing they were unnecessary and would drive out smaller operators. He supported an amendment aligning with Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) standards and noted that no FHP-contracted towing company has ever been sued.

Discussion Items

  • 2026-0358 – Towing and Storage of Vehicles/Vessels (Amend/Approve 7-0): The committee considered an amendment to align insurance requirements with FHP standards. After extensive debate, including a sub-amendment to increase on-hook property coverage from $50,000 to $100,000 (moved by CM Amaro), the amendment as amended passed unanimously. The final bill updates definitions, expands non-business hours from 8pm–7am to 6pm–8am, and clarifies JSO procedures. Marshall Adkinson and representatives of the Professional Wreckers of Florida and Southeast Towing Association endorsed the modified FHP coverage levels ($300,000 general liability, $50,000 off-hook, $100,000 on-hook).
  • 2026-0418 – BCBS Parking Garage Restrictive Covenants (Approve 6-0): The bill removes nighttime/weekend public parking rights at the 800 Magnolia St. garage and grants 24/7 parking to JSO, also eliminating BCBS’s obligation to repay a $3.5 million grant and the city’s ability to demand $6.67 million for termination. Council members discussed the impact on downtown parking inventory. JSO reported the garage generated only $994 in revenue in 2025 (avg. $83/month), with about 15-20 cars per month. The FIS building across the street provides 130 free public parking spaces. CM Miller emphasized the need for long-term planning in the Brooklyn area. The bill was approved 6-0 (CM Salem abstained? Actually not present for vote? Minutes show 6 ayes: Gay, White, Miller, Amaro, Boylan, Clark-Murray).
  • 2026-0446 – Polling Place Changes (Amend/Approve 7-0): The bill authorized temporary and permanent changes to polling locations for the 2026 primary election (August 18, 2026). An amendment clarified effective dates, added Precinct 1110 boundary changes, and corrected addresses. Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland confirmed no polling places were eliminated and that affected voters would receive new cards, sample ballot notices, signage, and social media notifications. Approved unanimously.
  • 2026-0450 – JU Law School Loan Forgiveness (Approve 7-0): The bill modifies the condition for forgiving two $1.25 million forgivable loans to Jacksonville University for its College of Law. The original requirement (average enrollment of 175 over two consecutive years) was changed to demonstrate overall enrollment of at least 175 by September 30, 2027. JU’s Fall 2025 enrollment was 135, Fall 2026 enrollment was 211 (average 173). All other metrics were satisfied. Approved unanimously.
  • 2026-0457 – JHA Loan for Downtown East Apartments Demolition (Amend/Approve 7-0): The bill authorized a $1,000,000, 3-year, 2% interest loan to the Jacksonville Housing Authority for demolition and environmental remediation of the former Franklin Arms apartments. The committee first approved technical and auditor- recommended amendments (including work-invoiced disbursement and closing expenses paid by JHA). CM Salem then successfully moved to fund the loan from General Fund reserves instead of commercial paper to save interest costs. JHA plans to redevelop the site into 130 senior housing units (55+, 30–70% AMI). Estimated demolition cost: $683,224. Approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0458 – Surplus City Property for Affordable Housing (Approve 7-0): The bill adopted an inventory of 15 city-owned parcels (11 in District 10, 4 in District 7) as surplus and authorized their disposition for affordable housing. It waived the requirement for four educational workshops (reducing to two) and newspaper advertising. Properties will first be offered to non-profits with affordable housing experience (30 days), then to any qualified entity (60 days). Approved unanimously.
  • 2026-0460 – JFRD Regional Preparedness Grant (Approve 7-0): Appropriated $4,360,470 from the Department of Homeland Security via FDEM to enhance preparedness in high-threat areas. Funds cover equipment and training across Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, and Baker counties, plus one additional Emergency Preparedness Planner position. No city match required. Approved unanimously.
  • 2026-0463 – Baseball Grounds Improvements (Amend/Approve 6-1): The bill appropriated $703,183.22 from existing ballpark capital accounts to fund MLB-required improvements (primarily relocating the bullpen). The city is not obligated for cost overruns under its agreement with Jacksonville Baseball, LLC. Council Auditor Phillip Peterson noted that the funding source delays concourse lighting and door lock/key replacement, and that convention development tax dollars will shift to the new Jaguars stadium in 2028. Chair Gay voted no, citing concerns about cost overruns and postponed maintenance. Approved 6-1.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (unanimous):
    • 2026-0358 (Towing ordinance, as amended)
    • 2026-0418 (BCBS parking garage agreement)
    • 2026-0446 (Polling place changes, as amended)
    • 2026-0450 (JU law school loan forgiveness)
    • 2026-0457 (JHA loan for Downtown East Apartments, as amended)
    • 2026-0458 (Surplus property for affordable housing)
    • 2026-0460 (JFRD grant)
  • Approved (6-1): 2026-0463 (Baseball Grounds improvements)
  • Withdrawn: 2026-0364 (Zoning code amendments) – 7-0; 2026-0444 (RIP current simulator grant) – 7-0
  • Deferred: 2024-0966, 2025-0361, 2026-0227, 2026-0318, 2026-0319, 2026-0320, 2026-0377, 2026-0445, 2026-0448, 2026-0449 (at request of sponsors or due to other commissions)
  • Read 2nd & Rereferred (items moved to next committee without vote): 2026-0489, 2026-0490, 2026-0491, 2026-0492, 2026-0493, 2026-0494, 2026-0495, 2026-0496, 2026-0497, 2026-0498, 2026-0499 (all second reading items)

Meeting Transcript

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.

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