The Jacksonville City Council met on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM in the Council Chamber, City Hall, with Council President Nick Howland presiding. Seventeen members were present; Councilman Boylan was excused. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM. The agenda included quasi-judicial actions, a consent agenda, public comments, public hearings on numerous ordinances, and introductions of new legislation.
All right, I call to order the Tuesday, August 11, 2026 meeting of the Jacksonville City Council. Good evening, everybody. And the first order of business is to thank former Council President Keriko, who will be stepping in tonight as floor leader. Councilman Boylan is on an excused absence. So with that, let's turn it over to former council president Carico. All right. Thank you, Mr. President. And I'll add my welcome to everybody as well. What uh we'll do first is call on the chaplain if you like to go ahead and get the invocation and the pledge. Mr. Mary, you're looking at Sir Amaro. You recognize, sir. Thank you, Mr. Floor Leader. Good evening, everyone. Uh tonight our invocation will be delivered by Elder Earl Matthews. Uh Pastor Matthews is a senior pastor of New Horizon Church, located in Jacksonville, Florida. He considers himself a Jacksonville native, being uh resided in the city since early childhood. He's a graduate of Stanton High School. He served 11 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. For the past 24 years, he's been employed full-time in ministry. He serves Florida Central First Jurisdiction as jurisdictional secretary and superintendent of the Jacksonville Metropolitan District. He is a sought-after workshop facilitator, focusing on protocol in the church. He currently serves by mayoral appointment as a commissioner on the Jacksonville Housing and Community Development Commission. His life's pursuit is to serve God through service to the people of God and humanity at large. Tonight he is here with his wife Gail, his companion of 18 years. Please receive Pastor Matthews for tonight's invocation. Good evening. To council member, pardon me, Council President Nick Holland, Council Vice President Joe Carlucci, Councilman Kennemaro, and this August body. Thank you for extending this privileged invitation. As you begin this evening with the business of continuing to make our beloved city the envy of municipalities around the country, there's no doubt that this collective body has to make extremely important and weighty decisions that will impact the lives of every citizen that calls Jacksonville home. Those who serve in leadership capacities must remember that it's not about you or I, it's about servant leadership. Scripture teaches us in Mark 9 and 35 states if anyone wants to be first, he or she must be the very last and the servant of all. Let's continue to work in harmony. Shall we pray? God, we ask for your wisdom and guidance as we gather to make decisions for our community. Bless this meeting with understanding and cooperation. Help us to listen with respect, speak with kindness, and act with integrity, so that the work of this evening is productive. Grant the council clarity, fairness, and unity in purpose as they carry out their responsibility to serve the citizens of this city. Lord, we lift in prayer. Our mayor, the council members, and other city officials. We pray for their protection as well as the protection of law enforcement officers, first responders, and everyone that has chosen to serve humanity and the people of the Lord said, Amen. I pledge allegiance. All right, and uh before we do, let me just uh do one quick announcement on Thursday. Uh begin the budget hearings. It's Thursday, August 13th. And for all my colleagues, um, you're all welcome to attend, even if you're not on finance committee. And if you do attend, please let um Bernadette know um so we can make sure we have your name uh on the dais and have the right seating adjusted for it.