Jacksonville Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - August 17, 2026
Jacksonville Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting – August 17, 2026
The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee of the Jacksonville City Council met on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Council Chamber. Chair Chris Miller presided. The committee considered a lengthy agenda of ordinances, including several deferrals, withdrawals, and approvals. The meeting lasted approximately one hour and concluded with adjournment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. Linda Grooms (Tallahassee) addressed the withdrawal of the Unity Classic sponsorship item (2026-0643), noting she was prepared to respond if needed.
- Carnell Oliver (address on file) spoke in opposition to item 2026-0541 (deferred), arguing that land in the South belongs to Black Americans under the 1866 Civil Rights Act and the Southern Homestead Act. He claimed to have filed a lawsuit against the city and made statements about land ownership and immigrant status.
Discussion Items
- Chair Miller's General Comment: Chair Miller requested that all committee members and participants strive for respectful discourse, especially during the upcoming budget process, noting observed tensions in other meetings.
- Stand for Service Act (2026-0574): Council President Howland introduced the bill, which requires companies receiving Recapture Enhanced Value (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 created. It also adds Cecil Airport alongside Jacksport as a location receiving additional positive consideration under the Public Investment Policy. Multiple council members expressed support and requested co-sponsorship. The bill passed unanimously (8-0).
- General Fund Contingency Appropriation (2026-0572): Finance Director Anna Brosche explained that the ordinance appropriates $33,958,000 from the General Fund/GSD unassigned fund balance into a contingency account for previously approved unfunded non-recurring future obligations, as required by Ordinance 2026-213-E. The floor for such transfers is the greater of 17% of the General Fund/GSD Operating Budget or $392,138,000. An amendment corrected account information. The bill passed as amended (8-0).
- Operation New Uniform Grant (2026-0575): Councilmember Carrico presented the $94,080 appropriation to Operation New Uniform, Inc. for an AI roleplay coaching program for veterans transitioning to the workforce. Several council members shared personal testimonials and requested co-sponsorship. The bill passed unanimously (8-0).
- Trinity Rescue Mission Day Center (2026-0578): The committee approved $479,997 from the Homelessness Initiatives Special Revenue Fund for Trinity Rescue Mission to renovate its day center and provide services for up to 55 individuals experiencing homelessness. An amendment removed extension language and corrected scrivener's errors. Councilmember Salem noted the facility would address daytime homelessness in the west downtown area. The bill passed as amended (7-0).
- Made a Way Foundation Non-Compliance Forgiveness (2026-0579): Councilmember Johnson sponsored the ordinance to forgive Made a Way Foundation, Inc. for failing to maintain a separate bank account for city grant funds. The Inspector General confirmed that all other issues had been resolved. Councilmember Salem expressed hope for better communication between the Inspector General and grants office. The bill passed (7-0).
- Northbank CRA Clean-Up (2026-0583): An amendment increased the total appropriation to $1,976,527 to include an additional clean-up item. The ordinance cleans up the Downtown Northbank CRA trust fund. Passed as amended (7-0).
- Demolition at 816 W. Union St (2026-0584): The committee authorized the DIA to demolish the former Sax Seafood building at an estimated cost of $56,000. The property was reacquired by the city in 2008 after foreclosure. Passed (7-0).
- Shipyards Redevelopment Agreement Amendment (2026-0585): An amendment clarified that defaults under Cost Disbursement Agreements with the developer or an affiliate would not constitute an Event of Default under the Redevelopment Agreement. This addresses hotel construction timelines and lender foreclosure scenarios. Passed as amended (7-0).
- Chaffee Road Widening Eminent Domain (2026-0587): The committee authorized acquisition of an additional property interest for the Chaffee Road widening project (Normandy Blvd to I-10) via eminent domain if necessary. An amendment attached the legal description and purchase agreement. Councilmember Miller raised concerns about eminent domain and property rights but was assured the legislation only affects one parcel and the project was previously approved. Passed as amended (7-0).
- Deferrals and Withdrawals: Multiple items were deferred at the request of council members or other parties (2024-0966, 2025-0361, 2026-0227, 2026-0320, 2026-0377, 2026-0541, 2026-0570, 2026-0588, 2026-0590). Item 2026-0318 was withdrawn by Councilmember Johnson due to needed corrections. Item 2026-0643 (Unity Classic sponsorship) was withdrawn at the request of Councilmember Peluso.
Key Outcomes
- Approved ordinances: 2026-0574 (Stand for Service Act), 2026-0572 (General Fund contingency, as amended), 2026-0573 (MOU with Atlantic Beach for disaster debris management), 2026-0575 (Operation New Uniform grant), 2026-0578 (Trinity Rescue Mission, as amended), 2026-0579 (Made a Way Foundation forgiveness), 2026-0583 (Northbank CRA clean-up, as amended), 2026-0584 (demolition authorization), 2026-0585 (Shipyards amendment, as amended), 2026-0587 (Chaffee Road eminent domain, as amended). All votes were unanimous (7-0 or 8-0).
- Deferred items: 10 items deferred to future meetings.
- Withdrawn items: 2 items withdrawn (2026-0318 and 2026-0643).
- Next meeting: The next regular committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Hello, everyone. Welcome to the August 17th, 2026, 1 p.m. Neighborhoods Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee meeting. If we could start with introductions with Mr. Delaney, I would appreciate it. Good afternoon, y'all. Bill Delaney with the mayor's office. Brandon Russell, Council Research. Heather Riever, Council Auditor's Office. Matt Carlucci at large group four. Michael Boylan, District Six. Good afternoon, Tyrone O'Clack Murray, District 9. Good afternoon, Chris Miller at large group five. Greetings from Council District 4, Kevin Carico. Ron Salem, group two at large. Greetings from Council District 7. Jimmy Palooza. Nick Howland at large, group three. Thanks everyone. We're going to start with public comments. We have two cards as of right now. And the first is Dr. Linda, I believe it's Grooms, and followed by Carnell Oliver. Is Dr. Grooms here, please? Yes, if you would state your name and address for the record, please. There it is. Okay. Dr. Linda Grooms with the Unity Football Classic from Tallahassee, 224, North Martin Luther King Boulevard. And thank you. Please go ahead. Okay. I just made myself available because I noticed that this particular issue is being withdrawn, and I didn't know if I needed to respond in any appropriate way. Okay. Thank you. Yes, thank you. Okay, next is Mr. Carnell Oliver. Uh yes, my name is Carnell Oliver. Address is on file. I'm glad that 2026 0541 was deferred. Because for me to there's no incorporation of the 1866 Civil Rights Act, including a lot of money has been dished out to people who don't own the land in the South. Everything in the South belongs to black Americans. You want to know why I say that? The Southern Homestead Act. A lot of immigrants who come from Ellis Island, they gave you a land allotment up there in the great Midwest. And most of them still live there. And the problem is that in this city, I want to ask some fundamental questions. My first question ever since 1969 or 68, when it consolidated this city, how much money touched the hands of foundational black Americans.
openpublica.com