OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Regular Meeting - August 11, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, August 11, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 11, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:29:08
Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

All right, I call to order the Tuesday, August 11, 2026 meeting of the Jacksonville City Council.

0:08

Good evening, everybody.

0:11

And the first order of business is to thank former Council President Keriko, who will be stepping in tonight as floor leader.

0:17

Councilman Boylan is on an excused absence.

0:20

So with that, let's turn it over to former council president Carico.

0:24

All right.

0:25

Thank you, Mr.

0:25

President.

0:26

And I'll add my welcome to everybody as well.

0:28

What uh we'll do first is call on the chaplain if you like to go ahead and get the invocation and the pledge.

0:36

Mr.

0:37

Mary, you're looking at Sir Amaro.

0:38

You recognize, sir.

0:45

Thank you, Mr.

0:46

Floor Leader.

0:47

Good evening, everyone.

0:49

Uh tonight our invocation will be delivered by Elder Earl Matthews.

0:55

Uh Pastor Matthews is a senior pastor of New Horizon Church, located in Jacksonville, Florida.

1:01

He considers himself a Jacksonville native, being uh resided in the city since early childhood.

1:07

He's a graduate of Stanton High School.

1:09

He served 11 years in the U.S.

1:11

Marine Corps.

1:12

For the past 24 years, he's been employed full-time in ministry.

1:16

He serves Florida Central First Jurisdiction as jurisdictional secretary and superintendent of the Jacksonville Metropolitan District.

1:25

He is a sought-after workshop facilitator, focusing on protocol in the church.

1:32

He currently serves by mayoral appointment as a commissioner on the Jacksonville Housing and Community Development Commission.

1:39

His life's pursuit is to serve God through service to the people of God and humanity at large.

1:45

Tonight he is here with his wife Gail, his companion of 18 years.

1:49

Please receive Pastor Matthews for tonight's invocation.

1:54

Good evening.

1:56

To council member, pardon me, Council President Nick Holland, Council Vice President Joe Carlucci, Councilman Kennemaro, and this August body.

2:07

Thank you for extending this privileged invitation.

2:11

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.

2:36

Those who serve in leadership capacities must remember that it's not about you or I, it's about servant leadership.

2:45

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.

2:57

Let's continue to work in harmony.

3:01

Shall we pray?

3:03

God, we ask for your wisdom and guidance as we gather to make decisions for our community.

3:10

Bless this meeting with understanding and cooperation.

3:16

Help us to listen with respect, speak with kindness, and act with integrity, so that the work of this evening is productive.

3:28

Grant the council clarity, fairness, and unity in purpose as they carry out their responsibility to serve the citizens of this city.

3:39

Lord, we lift in prayer.

3:40

Our mayor, the council members, and other city officials.

3:45

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.

4:02

I pledge allegiance.

4:22

All right, and uh before we do, let me just uh do one quick announcement on Thursday.

4:28

Uh begin the budget hearings.

4:30

It's Thursday, August 13th.

4:32

And for all my colleagues, um, you're all welcome to attend, even if you're not on finance committee.

4:37

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.

4:46

Um that's all I have.

4:48

So uh roll call, please.

4:51

Is that this Thursday?

4:52

Yeah.

5:00

17 present.

5:02

All right, Ms.

5:03

President.

5:03

One uh announcement from me due to the general elections being held on Tuesday, 818-26 per ordinance 2026-568E.

5:11

Tuesday standing committee meetings will be rescheduled to Wednesday, 819 26.

5:17

And then, of course, the next council meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 25th.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Land Use and Zoning█████████████████17%
Public Safety██████████10%
Urban Agriculture█████████9%
Public Engagement███████7%
Animal Welfare███████7%
Historic Preservation███3%
Environmental Protection███3%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Jacksonville City Council Regular Meeting - August 11, 2026

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.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of the July 28, 2026 regular meeting were approved 17-0.
  • The Consent Agenda was approved 17-0, with the exception of Resolution 2026-0614 (Sunshine 811 Day), which was pulled and later approved 17-0. Items included:
    • 2026-0537: Ordinance providing forgiveness to Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police Foundation for audit non-compliance.
    • 2026-0538: Ordinance appropriating $21,019,214.38 to correct budgeted CIP projects.
    • 2026-0539: Ordinance appropriating $115,000 for increased postage costs for Duval County Tax Collector.
    • 2026-0540: Ordinance establishing honorary street designation "Gopal Way" on Kingsbury St in District 9.
    • 2026-0546, 2026-0547, 2026-0548: Resolutions confirming appointments to Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville (Alicia Somers, Arlene Lloyd; Joshua Taylor withdrawn).
    • 2026-0613: Resolution honoring Duval County Public Schools for earning an "A" grade.
    • 2026-0617: Resolution honoring former Councilman Harry S. Reagan.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Approximately 30 speakers addressed the council, with time limited to 2 minutes 30 seconds per person. Key topics included:
    • Free to Garden Act: Numerous speakers urged support for the proposed ordinance and the pending Home Occupations bill (2026-0376), which would make neighborhood-friendly community and market gardens permissible by right. Speakers submitted a petition with 1,630 signatures.
    • Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Funding: Multiple speakers requested an additional $100,000–$150,000 for the Duval Cat Fix spay/neuter program, which exhausted its annual funding ($232,402) early in the fiscal year. A petition with over 590 signatures was presented.
    • Flock License Plate Readers: Speakers opposed the city's use of Flock cameras, citing privacy concerns and calling for a moratorium or removal of the cameras. Some noted over 400 cameras are installed and questioned data retention and security.
    • Development and Infrastructure: Residents from the Westside opposed the proposed Bridle Creek RV Park (2026-0524) on Wells Road, citing traffic, environmental impacts, and incompatibility with the rural area. Speakers also raised concerns about overdevelopment, retention pond safety after a recent drowning, and the proposed jail construction.
    • Other comments addressed the Kids Hope Alliance budget, JEA rates, and the need for community accountability regarding violent crime.

Discussion Items

  • Quasi-Judicial Actions (13 items): All items were approved, most with amendments or as moved. Notable votes included:
    • 2026-0544 (Historic windows appeal): Granted appeal 11-5, overturning the Historic Preservation Commission's denial for window replacement at 3855 Saint Johns Ave.
    • 2026-0372 (Dunn Creek Rd rezoning): Approved 16-1.
    • 2026-0487 (Waiver of road frontage at 1522 Girvin Rd): Approved 16-1.
    • 2026-0488 (Administrative deviation at 1522 Girvin Rd): Approved 16-1.
    • All other quasi-judicial ordinances (e.g., Karpeles Grand PUD, Ragland Landings PUD, St. Nicholas PUD, Foster Closet PUD, etc.) passed 17-0.
  • Public Hearings: Dozens of ordinances were advanced, including:
    • 2026-0505 (FY 27-31 CIP), 2026-0506 (Indigent Health Care funds - $56M), 2026-0507 (IT System Dev Program), 2026-0509 (Public Service Grants - $7.2M), 2026-0510 (Opioid settlement grants - $5.28M), 2026-0511 (Kids Hope Alliance budget - $50.3M), 2026-0512 (JEA budget), 2026-0513 (Council Member salaries - $1.99M), 2026-0514 (JTA paratransit contribution - $1.9M) – all read second time and referred.
    • 2026-0570 (Electric bicycle regulations): Public hearing held, read second time.
    • 2026-0571 (Salvation Army Homeless to Work program): Emergency approved 18-0 with amendment.
    • 2026-0577 (First Coast Crime Stoppers): Emergency approved 18-0.
    • 2026-0580 (Deep Bottom Creek dredging): Emergency approved 17-0.
    • 2026-0586 (JSO District 3 substation lease): Emergency approved 16-0.
    • Several land use plan amendments and companion rezonings approved (e.g., Old Kings Rd, Granite Pl, Starratt Rd, Bivins Rd, Franklin Arms senior housing at 888 Franklin St, Kings Trail PUD, Gate Ventures PUD).
    • Items continued: Home Occupations bill (2026-0376) continued to September 8; Pitts Rd area (2026-0126/0127) continued to August 25; Yellow Water Rd RV park (2026-0523/0524) continued to August 25; and several other land use items continued.
  • Third Reading Ordinances:
    • 2026-0535 (Trout River Blvd intersection improvements and sidewalk): Approved 17-0.
    • 2026-0536 (National Arts Program awards): Approved 17-0.
    • 2026-0542 (Sulzbacher homeless shelter capacity - $413,900): Approved 17-0.
    • 2026-0543 (Zawyer Sports Foundation community impact initiative - $150,000): Approved 17-0.
    • 2026-0552 (Jacksonville Riverfront Alliance and downtown park maintenance - $1,682,318): Approved 15-2.
  • Public Participation/Second Reading: Numerous appointments to boards and commissions were approved, including Duval County Tourist Development Council appointments (Nick Howland as Chair, Joe Carlucci and Kevin Carrico as members) and reappointments to various committees.
  • New Legislation Introduced: Over 20 ordinances and resolutions were introduced, including:
    • 2026-0641: Honoring W.C. Gentry (emergency approved 17-0 with amendment).
    • 2026-0635: Street renaming of Museum Circle to "Haskell Way" for Preston H. Haskell, III.
    • 2026-0634: JEA bond issuance authorization up to $7.75 billion.
    • 2026-0624: PSG Micro-Grant program procedures.
    • 2026-0633: Traffic calming funds for District 5 ($100,000).
    • 2026-0638: Opioid settlement funding for UF College of Medicine ($499,576).
    • Addendum items: 2026-0643 (Unity Classic sponsorship - $25,000), 2026-0644 (Renaming Cedar Point Preserve to Middlebrook Preserve), 2026-0645 (Downtown Vision contract for James Weldon Johnson Park).

Key Outcomes

  • Votes and Decisions:
    • 2026-0544: Grant appeal 11-5.
    • 2026-0571, 2026-0577, 2026-0580, 2026-0586: All passed under emergency procedure with large majorities.
    • 2026-0552: Passed 15-2 (Diamond and Gay voting no).
    • 2026-0606 (Appointment of CM Carrico to TDC): Passed 16-1 (CM Carlucci voting no).
  • Directives and Next Steps:
    • Home Occupations bill (2026-0376) continued to September 8, 2026.
    • Several land use and rezoning public hearings continued to August 25, 2026.
    • Councilman Gaffney announced a notice meeting to discuss retention pond safety legislation.
    • Councilman Arias invited council members to a public notice meeting on August 19, 2026 at 10:15 AM regarding the Free to Garden Act.
    • Budget hearings to begin Thursday, August 13, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

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.

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