OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee Meeting - July 20, 2026

City Council — Monday, July 20, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, July 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:21:40

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Well, good morning, everyone.

0:09

Welcome to our Monday, July 20th rules meeting.

0:15

Uh call the meeting to order.

0:18

We'll go ahead and start to my left with introductions of Mr.

0:23

Dennis.

0:24

Good morning, Garrett Dennis administration.

0:28

Colin Hamsey, Council Research.

0:30

Carla Shell, Office of General Counsel.

0:32

Tristake Carriher, Council Auditor's Office.

0:34

Jacobi Pittman, District 10.

0:36

Ron Salem, group two at large.

0:39

Kenamara, City Council District 1.

0:42

Mike Gay, District 2.

0:43

Will Lane and District 3.

0:45

Terrence Freeman at large group one.

0:48

Good morning, Michael Boylan, District 6.

0:50

Good morning, Nick Holland at large group three.

0:53

Just visiting.

0:54

Good morning, Commander James S.

0:55

Pelusa, United States Navy and District 7, Councilmember.

0:58

Just visiting.

1:00

Good morning, Matt Carluccia at large group four.

1:03

All right.

1:04

Welcome, visiting council members and Council President.

1:08

Glad to have you this morning.

1:15

Thank you, Mr.

1:15

Chair.

1:16

I just want to recogni uh recognize uh that uh councilmember gay is the new chair of the rules committee.

1:23

Um wonderful.

1:24

And uh this is an August body.

1:26

I'm excited for uh rules and the work they will do this year.

1:29

And I hope everyone had a like I said prior to the mayor's proposed budget.

1:33

I hope everyone had an opportunity to rest, recharge and uh prepare for the council year ahead.

1:38

Um just wanted to address one quick thing, why rules is going first.

1:41

Uh there's myriad reasons for that, but the not least of which is when we see people who are volunteering in their time um to serve on a city border commission, uh, talking to many of them, they'd much prefer that we have a 9 a.m.

1:54

meeting and then get them approved and get them out of here uh rather than take them out of work in the middle of the day at 1 p.m.

2:00

Um so that's one of the main reasons for putting rules first.

2:03

Um but I look forward to a fantastic council year and uh thanks for taking the home, Mike.

2:07

Appreciate it.

2:08

All right, thank you, sir.

2:10

Uh also with a little bit more housekeeping.

2:13

Uh I'm gonna turn it over to Mr.

2:15

Councilmember Bolin.

2:18

Thank you.

2:19

Thank you, Mr.

2:19

Chair.

2:20

As you might recall, colleagues, past year, we uh modified council rules with with respect to attendance and the process for doing that.

2:29

And I want to make sure that we that everyone is aware of this process.

2:33

Traditionally in the past, we've uh if a council member was not going to be in attendance meeting, he would just put out a notice saying I have an excused absence.

2:43

Going forward, the that request for an excused absence must go through the committee chair or the council president, depending on uh the the meeting that's going to be held.

2:55

So in the future, if you anticipate you're not going to be able to attend a meeting, you will need to reach out to the council committee chair in this situation to let him know and get permission from him to be truly an excused absence from the meeting.

3:09

And no more than two members can be excused from meeting.

3:12

If a council member, and obviously there are some as you would go back and take a look at the the rules and Ms.

3:17

Carla can speak to this if she if she needs to.

3:20

There are circumcircumstances, military uh health issues, et cetera, that kind of thing that come up unexpectedly is very different.

3:28

We're just talking about the fact that we all know full well a year in advance when every committee meeting is, when every council meeting is, and all I'm looking to do is make sure that we do our responsibility in attending these meetings.

3:41

While not buried into in in into that, I'd love any questions.

3:46

I'd appreciate them.

3:47

Uh it's also a standing uh rule, a council rule that before leaving the DS, whether it be a full council meeting or a committee meeting, you must get the permission of the chair or their council president to walk away.

4:02

Uh that helps very much so in two two situations, obviously during public uh comment.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████████████19%
Homelessness██████████████14%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Historic Preservation██████6%
Public Works█████5%
Land Use and Zoning███3%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee Meeting - July 20, 2026

The Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee convened on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 9:58 AM in Council Chamber, City Hall, and adjourned at 11:20 AM. Chair Mike Gay presided. The committee approved several ordinances, resolutions, and appointments, deferred numerous items, and heard a presentation on an upcoming emergency bill.

Opening Remarks & Housekeeping

  • Council President Howland welcomed the committee and explained the new 9:00 AM meeting time, selected to accommodate appointees appearing for confirmation.
  • Councilmember Boylan reminded colleagues of the new attendance process under Ord. 2026-137-E, requiring council members to request excused absences from the committee chair or council president. He also noted that members must obtain permission from the chair before leaving the dais.

Presentation

  • Paul Harden (1431 River Place) presented on Ordinance 2026-0576, an emergency bill to be introduced on July 28. The bill addresses a submerged land lease by the marina near the stadium, widening the lease to allow charging for boat slips and gasoline sales. The city's financial obligation does not increase. Chair Gay noted the bill was filed but not on the agenda. Dr. Salem asked whether the auditors had reviewed the legislation; Harden said he would follow up.

Consent Calendar (Deferred Items)

  • 2024-0627 (Mayor's Transfer Authority limit) – Deferred at request of CM Diamond.
  • 2024-0966 (Settlement of fines with Live Oak Ancient City Living, LLC) – Deferred at request of CM Carrico.
  • 2025-0775 (Prohibit certain expenditures to Mayor & Council Members) – Deferred at request of CM Carlucci.
  • 2026-0192 (Confirm Randy Wyse to JEA Board) – Deferred at request of CP Howland.
  • 2026-0203 (Reappoint Joseph Disalvo to JEA) – Deferred at request of CP Howland.
  • 2026-0227 (Prohibit city funds for abortions) – Deferred at request of CM Diamond.
  • 2026-0318 (Add $10 filing fee for code violations) – Deferred at request of CM Johnson.
  • 2026-0320 (Police & Fire Pension Board governance updates) – Deferred at request of CM White.
  • 2026-0376 (Home occupation requirements modifications) – Deferred at request of CM Peluso.

Discussion Items & Votes

Item 2026-0319 – Warren A. Jones Baseball Complex Naming

  • Action: Amendment offered to attach Historic Preservation Section report and waive timeline requirements; approved unanimously. Bill as amended approved 7-0.
  • Discussion: Councilmember Freeman asked to be added as co-sponsor. CM Boylan requested a copy of the historic preservation report. Councilmember Carlucci confirmed Warren Jones was consulted and agreed to the naming of just the baseball complex.

Item 2026-0445 – Additional Funding to SPAR for Springfield Cleanup Corps

  • Action: Amendment corrected account information and budget narrative; approved unanimously. Bill as amended approved 7-0.
  • Discussion: CM Peluso explained the funds are from District 7 CBA contingency. CM Boylan asked about waiving Cultural Service Grant eligibility; Michael Haskins (SPAR) confirmed they have been a CSG recipient for about 10 years and the funding is for a separate program.

Item 2026-0453 – Appropriation to Cure Negative Cash Balances & Fund Economic Incentives

  • Action: Withdrawn 7-0 at administration’s request.
  • Discussion: CM Lahnen requested more information on why the bill was withdrawn. Garrett Dennis (Mayor’s Office) said he would provide details to the committee.

Item 2026-0489 – Amend Homelessness Initiatives Commission (HIC) to Add Mayoral Liaison

  • Action: Amendment corrected bill title and liaison language; approved unanimously. Bill as amended approved 5-1-1 (Salem nay, Pittman abstain).
  • Discussion: CM Peluso explained the bill creates a mayoral liaison to speed up the process of getting HIC-recommended funds out. CM Freeman expressed concern that a high-level administration liaison could unduly influence volunteer board members and noted JCEB faced similar delays. CM Salem supported the liaison but cautioned about overreach. Garrett Dennis noted HIC was created to appropriate dollars, unlike JCEB which is an auditing body for JSAB. CM Pittman abstained due to potential conflict with Clara White Mission.

Item 2026-0492 – Noxious Weeds & Invasive Plant Species Ordinance

  • Action: Amendment reordered definitions and corrected scrivener’s error; approved unanimously. Bill as amended approved 7-0.
  • Discussion: CM Boylan explained the bill extends state noxious weed regulations from new development to existing private properties, responding to constituent concerns. He clarified it does not affect public works operations.

Item 2026-0494 – Foreclosure Registry Funds Appropriation

  • Action: Amendment corrected appropriation to $1,338,737.21; approved unanimously. Bill as amended approved 7-0.
  • Discussion: Travis Jeffrey (Housing and Community Development) explained the funds support four positions for foreclosure registry administration, foreclosure intervention ($300,000), neighborhood matching grants ($286,191.43), blight removal ($179,497.95 for the JAR program), and batch foreclosure ($38,000). CM Salem and CM Boylan questioned the high administrative costs; staff clarified the positions also administer other programs. CM Pittman suggested better coordination with blight removal efforts under Councilmember Ferraro. CM Lahnen recommended communication between departments to avoid duplicating funding.

Item 2026-0495 – Timuquan Trail Segment C Grant

  • Action: Amendment corrected project location to Council District 2; approved unanimously. Bill as amended approved 7-0.
  • Appropriation: $1,700,000 in federal DOT grant funds via FDOT; no city match required.

Item 2026-0497 – HOPWA Continuation Grant for HIV/AIDS Housing

  • Action: Amendment attached HUD award schedule and corrected scrivener’s errors; approved unanimously. Bill as amended approved 6-0-1 (Pittman abstained due to potential conflict with Clara White Mission).
  • Appropriation: $3,269,046.69 ($3,260,738 from HUD, $8,308.69 reprogrammed) for housing assistance and supportive services to low-income persons with HIV/AIDS in Duval County.

Item 2026-0499 – Emergency Solutions Grant for Homelessness

  • Action: Amendment attached HUD award schedule and corrected fiscal year to 2026/2027; approved unanimously. Bill as amended approved 6-0-1 (Pittman abstained).
  • Appropriation: $610,307.44 ($610,007 from HUD, $300.44 reprogrammed) for services addressing homelessness; includes direct contract with Changing Homelessness, Inc.

Appointments & Confirmations

  • 2026-0515 – Michelle Begley as Chief of Accounting Division: Approved 7-0. Begley spoke of her 36 years in government accounting and auditing. CM Freeman commended her questionnaire. CM Pittman asked about potential improvements; Begley cited ERP system challenges and process efficiencies.
  • 2026-0516 – Corey Ford to Construction Trades Qualifying Board: Withdrawn 7-0 at administration’s request.
  • 2026-0517 – Julio Alayo to Construction Trades Qualifying Board: Deferred at request of administration.

Second Reading Items (Read 2nd & Rereferred)

  • 2026-0535 (Trout River Blvd intersection & sidewalk improvements – $390,000)
  • 2026-0539 (Tax Collector postage costs – $115,000)
  • 2026-0540 (Honorary street designation for Dr. Devegowda Gopal & renaming “Gopal Way”)
  • 2026-0542 (Sulzbacher Center homeless shelter capacity – $413,900)
  • 2026-0543 (Zawyer Sports Foundation community impact initiative – $150,000)
  • 2026-0545 through 2026-0548 (Appointments to Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville: Toni Smailagic, Alicia Somers, Arlene Lloyd, Joshua Taylor)

Resolutions

  • 2026-0551 – Commemorating 158th Anniversary of Historic Mount Olive AME Church: Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Vote Tallies: All votes were 7-0 except 2026-0489 (5-1-1), 2026-0497 and 2026-0499 (each 6-0-1). All amendments passed unanimously.
  • Deferrals: 11 items deferred at sponsors’ requests.
  • Withdrawals: Two items withdrawn (2026-0453 and 2026-0516).
  • Directives: Administration to provide details on withdrawal of 2026-0453 to the full committee. Staff instructed to coordinate foreclosure-registry blight funds with Neighborhoods Department blight efforts. CM Boylan requested copy of historic preservation report for Item 2026-0319.
  • Next Meeting: The next regular Rules Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 3, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good morning, everyone. Welcome to our Monday, July 20th rules meeting. Uh call the meeting to order. We'll go ahead and start to my left with introductions of Mr. Dennis. Good morning, Garrett Dennis administration. Colin Hamsey, Council Research. Carla Shell, Office of General Counsel. Tristake Carriher, Council Auditor's Office. Jacobi Pittman, District 10. Ron Salem, group two at large. Kenamara, City Council District 1. Mike Gay, District 2. Will Lane and District 3. Terrence Freeman at large group one. Good morning, Michael Boylan, District 6. Good morning, Nick Holland at large group three. Just visiting. Good morning, Commander James S. Pelusa, United States Navy and District 7, Councilmember. Just visiting. Good morning, Matt Carluccia at large group four. All right. Welcome, visiting council members and Council President. Glad to have you this morning. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to recogni uh recognize uh that uh councilmember gay is the new chair of the rules committee. Um wonderful. And uh this is an August body. I'm excited for uh rules and the work they will do this year. And I hope everyone had a like I said prior to the mayor's proposed budget. I hope everyone had an opportunity to rest, recharge and uh prepare for the council year ahead. Um just wanted to address one quick thing, why rules is going first. Uh there's myriad reasons for that, but the not least of which is when we see people who are volunteering in their time um to serve on a city border commission, uh, talking to many of them, they'd much prefer that we have a 9 a.m. meeting and then get them approved and get them out of here uh rather than take them out of work in the middle of the day at 1 p.m. Um so that's one of the main reasons for putting rules first. Um but I look forward to a fantastic council year and uh thanks for taking the home, Mike. Appreciate it. All right, thank you, sir. Uh also with a little bit more housekeeping. Uh I'm gonna turn it over to Mr. Councilmember Bolin. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. As you might recall, colleagues, past year, we uh modified council rules with with respect to attendance and the process for doing that. And I want to make sure that we that everyone is aware of this process. Traditionally in the past, we've uh if a council member was not going to be in attendance meeting, he would just put out a notice saying I have an excused absence. Going forward, the that request for an excused absence must go through the committee chair or the council president, depending on uh the the meeting that's going to be held.

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