TEU Committee Meeting August 19, 2026: JEA Project Update, Legislative Votes & Public Comment
Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting – August 19, 2026
The Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee, chaired by Council Member Ken Amaro, convened at 9:00 AM on August 19, 2026, in the Council Chamber. The meeting featured a presentation from JEA on the Fulton Cut transmission line clearance project, followed by votes on four first‑reading bills, a deferral of a fifth item, and the deferral of all second‑reading items. One member of the public testified on the "Stand for Service Act."
Consent Calendar
- 2026‑05691 – Ordinance rescheduling committee meetings due to the 2027 General Election; includes scrivener’s corrections (technical year fixes). Approved 6‑0.
- 2026‑05702 – Ordinance re electric bicycles; deferred at the request of Council Member Boylan.
- 2026‑05733 – MOU with Atlantic Beach for disaster debris management at Girvin Landfill. Approved 6‑0.
- 2026‑05744 (Stand for Service Act) – Ordinance amending the Public Investment Policy to require companies receiving a Recapture Enhanced Value Grant to make a good‑faith effort to hire qualified active‑duty military spouses/veterans for at least 10% of new jobs created, and to give positive consideration to projects benefiting Cecil Airport. Approved 6‑0.
- 2026‑05875 – Ordinance declaring public necessity for condemnation of property for the Chaffee Road widening project (Normandy Blvd to I‑10). An amendment attaching the legal description and real estate purchase agreement was adopted, then the bill as amended was approved 6‑0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Carnell Oliver spoke on Item 2026‑05744 (Stand for Service Act). He expressed support for veterans but urged the city to incorporate enforcement of the 1866 Civil Rights Act and to establish reporting mechanisms ensuring black Americans also gain economic benefits from incentive programs. He asked the General Counsel’s office what tools exist to enforce such protections.
Discussion Items
- JEA Fulton Cut Transmission Line Clearance Project Update – Darrell Hamilton, Manager of Transmission and Substation Projects, presented an update. The project raises six transmission lines crossing the St. Johns River by 50 feet (from 175 ft to 225 ft clearance) to accommodate larger ships at JaxPort. Key facts: original towers built in the 1960s‑1980s; new paramast structures average 365 ft; total budget $117 million (tri‑party agreement: JaxPort, state grants, JEA); project is 60% spent on the $89.5 million guaranteed maximum price; helicopter‑assisted conductor stringing completed in August 2026; all outages are transmission‑level (no customer impact); operational completion by December 2026; tower demolition in spring 2027. Committee members asked about funding (JaxPort covering $39.5 million in phase three), maintenance (50–75 year lifespan), helicopter operations, and schedule contingencies. Chair Amaro also announced that a third‑party workplace culture survey commissioned by the city found allegations of toxic workplace racism at JEA unsubstantiated; the JEA board is proceeding with executive coaching for senior leadership. The summary will be emailed to council members.
- Second‑reading items (2026‑06276, 2026‑06297, 2026‑06338, 2026‑06349, 2026‑06351, 2026‑06441) – All six second‑reading ordinances were held for a one‑cycle deferral to align with JEA bond legislation on the same cycle. No votes were taken.
Key Outcomes
- Four first‑reading bills were approved unanimously (6‑0), with an amendment to the Chaffee Road condemnation ordinance.
- Electric bicycle ordinance deferred at sponsor’s request.
- All second‑reading items deferred one cycle.
- JEA committed to sharing the workplace survey summary with council members.
- The committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for September 1, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
It is nine o'clock. I'll call the uh transportation, energy, and utilities committee meeting to order and begin with introductions from my left. Good morning, Bill Delaney, Mayor's Office. Stephen Lippe, Council Research. Carla Schell, Office of General Council. Edward Linsky Council Auditor's Office. Good morning, Tyrone Clack Murray, District 9. Good morning, Matt Carlucci at large group four. Jacoby Pittman, District 10. Kenamara, City Council District 1. Good morning, everyone. How are we doing today? Jimmy Peluso, City Council District 7. Good morning, Raw Areas District 11. Thank you, everyone. I'm going to reserve my remarks about Mr. Pelusa for at the end of the meeting. As you look at your agenda, nothing is going to be taken out of order. Councilor President Mr. Howland might be here. He may not. We have a couple of bills on agenda for him. This morning we're going to begin our meeting with a print presentation from the Janksville Electric Authority. This being the TEU. I I thought it wise for them to come and share with us what's taking place with the project that's already on the way. The uh I forget what it's called, but it's the extending of the power lines or the raising of the power lines across the river. And uh and and I thought it would be a good moment to uh edify many of us here at the committee as to the work that's being done. Uh over the past year, we have all uh approved the uh the the funding for this project. So we'll begin with Jay. If you would come and please introduce yourself and do your presentation, Mr. Shea Hill. Good morning. Shea Hill, JEA. Uh today we have a presentation on the Fulton Cut transmission line clearance, and we will have Daryl Hamilton, who is our manager of transmission and substations, the subject matter experts in this matter. Come up and do a presentation for you. Thank you for your time. Thanks. Good morning. Uh I'm Daryl Hamilton, manager of transmission and substation projects. I work for Gabor Atts and the Engineering and Projects Group. Uh this morning, uh, we're gonna do a presentation of the Fulton Cut project uh as an update uh to the council. Uh we also have a video to share at the end that we'll like to pivot to uh before any questions. So uh before we get into the details of the actual project itself, what I like to do is go over some historical fact snapshots of the Fulton Cut. There may be some folks that are may not be familiar with the Fulton Cut. Uh the Fulton Cut is located there at Blunt Island on the North Bank and Reed Island on the South Bank. And it's essentially a river crossing of six transmission lines, uh, five 230 KV lines and one 138 KV lines. They're uh critical to our system. Some facts about the Fulton Cut. Uh the original tower was constructed and built in the early 60s. Uh later in the late 60s, the second tower was constructed, followed by the third tower in the 80s.
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