Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee Meeting - August 17, 2026
Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee Meeting - August 17, 2026
The Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee convened on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the Council Chamber under Chair Mike Gay. The seven-member committee (Gay, Amaro, Boylan, Freeman, Lahnen, Pittman, Salem) considered 44 agenda items, including ordinances, resolutions, board appointments, and funding approvals. Notable outcomes included passage of the "Stand for Service Act," approval of several board appointments, funding for Trinity Rescue Mission, and a contentious debate on council attendance rules. One item was withdrawn, one was deferred after discussion, and multiple items were deferred at request of sponsors or due to pending LUZ hearings.
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Evil Kinevel Nooney (8356 Baskum Row, Jacksonville) addressed the committee on multiple agenda items, including ethics, CIP, Northeast Florida Regional Council, trust funds, e-bikes, and veterans issues.
Discussion Items
- Stand for Service Act (2026-0574) – Council President Howland introduced the bill, which requires companies receiving city REV grants to make a good faith effort to hire qualified active-duty military spouses and/or veterans for at least 10% of new jobs. It also adds Cecil Airport alongside Jaxport for additional positive consideration in public investments. The committee approved the bill 7-0.
- Appointments – The committee approved several appointments after brief presentations by nominees:
- William Bruce to the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) Board, replacing Cameron Hooper (approved 7-0).
- Janice H. Curry to the Renew Arlington CRA Advisory Board (emergency passage approved verbally, then bill approved 6-0).
- Brian Bush to the Renew Arlington CRA Advisory Board, replacing Bandele Onasanya (approved 6-0).
- Bruce Brian Beardsley Jr. to the Opioid & Substance Use Disorder Grants Committee (approved 6-0).
- Jack Meeks to the Civil Service Board, replacing James F. Register (approved 6-0).
- Damaris Matos, Worley Richards, and Alice Kearse to the Jacksonville-Duval County Council on Elder Affairs (all approved 6-0).
- Several reappointments: Jitan Kuverji to Tourist Development Council, Sarah A. Smith to Opioid Committee, and council members to various boards (all approved 6-0).
- Chaffee Rd Widening Eminent Domain (2026-0587) – An amendment to attach legal description and purchase agreement was approved verbally. The bill, authorizing acquisition through eminent domain for the road widening from Normandy Blvd to I-10 (anticipated completion 2030), was then approved 6-0.
- Trinity Rescue Mission Day Center Renovation (2026-0578) – An amendment was approved that removed extension language, corrected errors, and attached a revised term sheet/budget. The bill appropriates $479,997 from the Homelessness Initiatives Special Revenue Fund for a direct contract with Trinity Rescue Mission to operate a day center (capacity 55) from Oct 1, 2026 to Sept 30, 2027. Council members expressed support but noted it is a temporary solution to homelessness. Approved 6-0.
- Made a Way Foundation Grant Forgiveness (2026-0579) – Extensive discussion on the organization's noncompliance due to commingling of $9,000 in city grant funds. The committee debated fairness, the need for consistent processes, and the length of time entities remain on the noncompliance list. The item was deferred to allow for further information from the Inspector General and a report on noncompliance.
- Council Rules Amendment for Excused Absences (2026-0589) – Sponsored by CM Carrico, the bill adds a limited exception for excused absences from committee and full council meetings due to obligations from a council member's non-city employer. Limits: 4 excusals per year for committee, 3 for full council. After debate on priorities and consistency, the committee approved 5-1, with CM Boylan voting no.
- Rescheduling May 2027 Committee Meetings (2026-0569) – Approved 7-0 to move Finance, TEU, and LUZ meetings from Tuesday May 18 to Wednesday May 19, 2027 due to the 2027 General Election. This mirrors the practice for elections.
- Other Actions – Several items were deferred at sponsors' requests (2024-0966, 2025-0775, 2026-0192, 2026-0203, 2026-0227, 2026-0320, 2026-0517, 2026-0545, 2026-0588). Item 2026-0318 was withdrawn at CM Johnson's request. Items 2026-0376 and 2026-0590 were deferred due to pending LUZ public hearings. Item 2026-0612 (appointment of Becky Morgan to DDRB) was withdrawn.
Key Outcomes
- Approved (all with 6-0 or 7-0 votes unless noted):
- 2026-0574 (Stand for Service Act) – 7-0
- 2026-0616 (William Bruce to DIA) – 7-0
- 2026-0569 (Reschedule May 2027 meetings) – 7-0
- 2026-0640 (Janice Curry to Renew Arlington CRA) – emergency carried verbally; bill 6-0
- 2026-0581 (Brian Bush to Renew Arlington CRA) – 6-0
- 2026-0593 (Reappt Jitan Kuverji) – 6-0
- 2026-0594 (Appt Bruce Beardsley) – 6-0
- 2026-0608 (Reappt Sarah Smith) – 6-0
- 2026-0609 (Appt Damaris Matos) – 6-0
- 2026-0610 (Appt Worley Richards) – 6-0
- 2026-0611 (Appt Alice Kearse) – 6-0
- 2026-0615 (Appt Jack Meeks) – 6-0
- 2026-0587 (Chaffee Rd eminent domain) – amendment verbal; bill 6-0
- 2026-0578 (Trinity Rescue Mission) – amendment verbal; bill 6-0
- 2026-0575 (Made a Way Foundation forgiveness) – 6-0 (note: this item was listed on agenda as 2026-0579? Actually 2026-0575 is different – see below) Correction: 2026-0575 is the ethics ordinance that was deferred at request of CM Carlucci. The Made a Way item is 2026-0579 which was deferred. The transcript shows item 16 (2026-0579) was deferred. But also item 14 (2026-0575) was approved without discussion as part of the regular agenda after item 13. Let me re-check transcript: after item 11, they went to item 13 (Stand for Service), then item 14 (2026-0575) – they approved it quickly with a 6-0 vote. The agenda shows 2026-0575 is the ethics ordinance (prohibit expenditures to Mayor & Council). That was approved. So we have two distinct bills: 2026-0575 (ethics) approved, and 2026-0579 (Made a Way) deferred. I need to correct. In the summary above, I conflated them. Let me adjust in the final JSON.
- 2026-0582 (Appt CM Clark-Murray to FL League) – 6-0
- 2026-0589 (Council rules absences) – 5-1 (Boylan no)
- 2026-0595 (Reappt CM Amaro to Juvenile Justice) – 6-0
- 2026-0597 (Reappt CM Clark-Murray to Housing Commission) – 6-0
- 2026-0598 (Reappt CM Gay & CM Clark-Murray to Zoo Society) – 6-0
- 2026-0599 (Reappt CM Johnson to Joint Planning Committee) – 6-0
- 2026-0601 (Appt CM Pittman to NE FL Regional Council) – 6-0
- 2026-0604 (Reappt CM Amaro to NE FL Regional Council) – 6-0
- 2026-0605 (Reappt CM Arias to Tree Commission) – 6-0
- 2026-0612 (Appt Becky Morgan to DDRB) – Withdrawn
- 2026-0642 (Honoring Nehemiah Turner) – 6-0
- 2026-0645 (Contract with Downtown Vision for James Weldon Johnson Park) – on second, no vote in rules (noted on agenda as 2nd reading)
- Deferred:
- 2024-0966 (settlement with Live Oak Ancient City Living) – at request of CM Carrico
- 2025-0775 (ethics ordinance) – at request of CM Carlucci
- 2026-0192 (JEA appt Randy Wyse) – at request of CP Howland
- 2026-0203 (JEA reappt Joseph Disalvo) – at request of CP Howland
- 2026-0227 (abortion funding prohibition) – at request of CM Diamond
- 2026-0320 (police/fire pension board governance) – at request of CM White
- 2026-0376 (home occupations zoning) – due to LUZ public hearing
- 2026-0517 (appt Julio Alayo to Construction Trades Board) – at request of Administration
- 2026-0545 (appt Toni Smailagic to Cultural Council) – at request of Administration
- 2026-0588 (economic development agreement for 8000 Arlington) – at request of developer
- 2026-0590 (firearm preemption repeal) – due to LUZ public hearing
- 2026-0579 (Made a Way Foundation forgiveness) – deferred after discussion, pending further information
- Withdrawn:
- 2026-0318 (code enforcement filing fee) – at request of CM Johnson
- 2026-0612 (appt Becky Morgan to DDRB) – withdrawn
Meeting Transcript
Well, good morning. Welcome to Monday, August 17th rules meeting. I call to order, and we'll start with introductions to my left with Mr. Dennis. Good morning, Garrett Dennis Administration. Office of General Counsel. Trista Kerriher, Council Auditor's Office. Jacoby Pittman, District 10. Ron Salem, group two at large. Kenamar, City Council, District 1. Mike Gay, District 2. Terrence Freeman at large, group one. Good morning, Michael Boylan, District 6. Good morning, Nick Howland at large, group three. Randy White, District 12, Dr. President. All right. Welcome our visiting Council President and Council Member White. Do we have any public comment cards? All right, Mr. Nooney. As you come forward, give your name and address for the record and speak specifically to an item on our agenda. Hello. I am John Evil Kinevel Nooney, 8356, Baskum Row, Jacksonville, Florida, 32216. I'm in City Council District 4. Scott Wilson, CPAC 3, Raymond Day, Jose Gonzalez, Rosemary Wiselowski, Brett James, School Board District 3, Cindy Pearson, Charter School, Public School, Boys and Girls Club, KHA Field Trip Park on Pottsburgh Creek. That is brilliant. Rules Committee. Pardon Nooney. Now I'll be addressing 2026 0574, 2026 0575. That's ethics. Anyone go into the ethics commission meeting tomorrow? 2024 0107, 2024 0325, 2026, 0024. That's CIP. 2024 0601, the Northeast Florida. That's the NEFRC, Chris Miller, Northeast Florida Regional Colonel. 2024 0601. Ron Salem, JEA, Doge, Northeast Florida Regional Conservative, just down to a minute 50. 2026 0604 donating three trust funds. They're right here. Okay, we've got 2026 004. Okay, that is the parks trust fund. And uh just so everyone isn't that that'll be check number 126, down to a minute 27. We got 2026 0396. That's the movie trust fund. You know, uh Stand for Service Act Park. Gonna be making a movie on that. Agenda you got 2025. Agenda, please, Mr. Ganooney.
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