OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

District One Town Hall Meeting Summary – August 25, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, August 25, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 25, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:38:49

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

It's about it on time.

0:05

First of all, welcome to the uh district one town hall meetings 24 2026.

0:14

Thank you for coming out and uh devoteing your time to have a conversation about this community that you and I call a lot of exciting things that are taking place.

0:25

I don't think we've had the opportunity to drive around some courts.

0:29

Uh some transformational work is already taking place.

0:33

But it wouldn't be a community without your involvement, without your participation without your voice.

0:40

So tonight I'm here to be here from you to have you here to get me as well as some of the city departments that serve our community and what they're doing to improve the quality of life and make life better for each and every one of us in their comment and quality.

0:59

I'd like this to begin with some invocation and a pledge of legions.

1:05

My buddy will do the pledge, and I will say it for every letter.

1:12

Almighty God, we thank you for yet a new day.

1:15

We thank you for this opportunity to assemble it as a community, unity.

1:19

Um voice for this community we call and thank you for gracing us with life and strength in our body.

1:29

Thank you for this opportunity to assemble as one.

1:35

Um guard our speech, give us wisdom and the things that we say, give us a receptive ear, hear what has been said, and give us the wisdom to move forward.

1:48

The objective here is to make our community better, not just for us, but for children and our grandchildren.

1:56

God, we thank you for hearing up for the sun and the whole east there.

2:18

Well, we're not thank you, sir.

2:32

Uh we have a number of presenters this evening, and we will try to um if there aren't uh if it's not an overwhelming number of questions, we'll try to answer some questions after each presenter.

2:45

But uh our goal is to try and get you as much information as possible to get you out of here by secondary as the objective.

2:55

And since we have started a new school year, I thought it would be appropriate to have our school board member that uh covers district one to come and share with us tonight.

3:08

Um those of us may not have kids in the school system, but we do have neighbors and maybe grandchildren who are enrolled in the school system this year, district one.

3:20

So please receive uh Tony Ricardo, who all county school board, district number one representative for the beginning of our meeting.

3:30

Come on.

3:35

Well, I can echo uh councilman the maritime senator.

3:38

I appreciate y'all attending uh and taking an interest in community.

3:43

Um I figured I'd start out first with one of the hot topics of the last two weeks is the air conditioners in the school.

3:50

We apparently have been in the quite a bit.

3:53

Um as you know, any person building usually has to run uh a piece of machinery in order to keep it running.

4:01

So yes, we do run those during the summer.

4:04

Um that's the question that's been asked quite a bit.

4:07

Um there are some just three things that happen, wires being rubbed abroad up against cabinets and shortened things out, lightning strikes and those kind of things.

4:19

Uh this year has been unusually uh high number of incidents on air conditioning units, so yes, there's there's been quite a few, and they are all being taken care of.

4:28

As far as I know, we're on top of all of them uh as I speak right now, but it's more for the new day.

4:35

Um, as far as uh attendance, we're doing very well, but as you know, or maybe don't know, uh the birth rate is going down.

4:45

So our attendance rates in most of the schools are declining slightly.

4:49

This is not due to just charter schools or choices.

4:53

Yes, those choices are out there, but our attendance is declining very, very slightly.

5:00

Um most of the schools are just losing maybe 20 students or so, and uh that's been consistent over the last few years.

5:07

We're working to rectify that again.

5:09

My position when I campaign was to make uh public schools very competitive, and I'm I'm a further leader in competition, so we need to offer the best products of kids will come to us.

5:22

Um we have a few projects.

5:24

I'm not gonna spend any time on it yet because I know it's coming up later, but we do have an arts in the public uh arts coming up, and we're working on uh I'm trying to engage the students at Fort Carolina School of the Arts, the uh middle school to uh participate in that.

5:42

I have a background in commercial art and uh done several murals in the past, and I just want to have the students get the opportunity to experience something like that.

5:53

So that's what we're trying to do is use the students at Fort Caroline to do that project as much as possible.

5:59

Last item uh the one mill.

6:02

It's coming up on November, and there's a lot of misinformation out there.

6:07

I thought I'd just like to make sure that everyone understands what it is and where it came from, why it's there, and what the results have been over the last four years.

6:16

The one mill, I'll take you back to 2022.

6:19

We had a very severe teaching shortage at that time.

6:23

Um some of you remember that.

6:25

We had a hard time retaining our teachers.

6:28

So the board at that time in 2022, I was not on board.

6:32

The board at that time asked for one mill referendum.

6:36

That's a dollar out of every thousand dollars of your home value going to the schools, strictly to uh benefit teachers and their salaries as uh added added bonus.

6:50

Uh it also goes to arts programs and athletics, so all the fields, turf fields that you see out there, and all the all the new uh tennis court surfacing and playground equipment, that all comes from that that one mill.

7:04

Every dollar has a purpose, and uh it again came about as a result of 2022.

7:13

What we're asking for, or what's going to be on the ballot this time is a renewal of that one million, it's not a new tax.

7:21

Well, Tony, what are what how much is that?

7:24

Well, if you have a $350,000 house, and um and you have a homestead, it's gonna be around $30 or so a month.

7:34

That's how much that one mill amounts there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████25%
Transportation Safety█████████████████17%
Parks and Recreation█████████████13%
School Funding████████████12%
Public Works███████7%
Procedural████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Historic Preservation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

District One Town Hall Meeting Summary – August 25, 2026

Councilmember Amiro hosted the District One town hall meeting on August 25, 2026, starting at 2:00 PM. Presentations were made by School Board Member Tony Ricardo, Parks and Recreation Director Darrell Joseph, Public Works Director Nina Sicler, and JSO District Two Commander Ring Valentine. Community members participated in Q&A sessions after each presentation. Key topics included school facility issues, park upgrades, road safety projects, crime statistics, and a proposed one-mill renewal referendum.

School Board Presentation (Tony Ricardo)

  • Air conditioning issues: Several school AC units failed this summer due to wiring, lightning, and other causes; all are being repaired.
  • Attendance decline: District student enrollment is declining very slightly (20–30 students per school) due to lower birth rates, not charter shifts.
  • One-mill renewal referendum: The existing one-mill tax (about $30/month for a $350,000 home with homestead exemption) is up for renewal in November 2026. It is not a new tax. Revenue supports teacher salaries (averaging $8,600 per teacher), arts programs, and athletic fields. Teacher retention is now 96%. Other counties also have similar millage, making it competitive.
  • School safety: Merrill Road Elementary crosswalk improvements and traffic calming are being coordinated with the city. Crosswalk installation at Terry Parker High School is complete with speed tables.
  • Justina Elementary surplus: The school board is considering declaring Justina Elementary as surplus and selling it. A public meeting will be held for input.
  • Grass Academy naming: A proposal to rename Grass Academy back to Don Brewer (or add a commemorative placard) is being considered; public input is encouraged.
  • School board office relocation: Options include Town Center (parent center), Regency Square, and others. Sale of downtown building for ~$14M and potential sale of two other buildings could offset moving costs.

Parks and Recreation Update (Darrell Joseph)

  • Norman Studios: Next design phase underway.
  • Blue Cypress Park: New clubhouse (working with JU golf team); senior swim program launched and expanded citywide; lake algae and gator issues are being addressed with FWC.
  • Bruce Park caboose: An art project involving school students to prevent vandalism; expected in spring 2027.
  • Friendship Fountain: 750,000 visitors in 2026; night shows at 7, 8, 9 PM.
  • Adopt-a-Park program: 60 groups signed up; Park Partnership Trust Fund accepts tax-deductible donations.
  • Swing set at Blue Cypress: Currently only one swing; resident requested a traditional swing set. Joseph will review footprint for safety.
  • Feral cats and illegal camping at Reddie Point Preserve: Parks working with JSO and code enforcement.

Public Works Update (Nina Sicler)

  • School safety projects: 10 of 15 projects completed this summer; 5 in progress (waiting on flashing lights).
  • University Boulevard Complete Streets project: Public meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 5:00–6:30 PM at Blue Cypress Park. Four alternatives presented: two with same lane count (signals or roundabouts), two with lane reduction (more pedestrian space).
  • Arlington South gateway sign: Councilmember Amiro funded; bid in progress, expected completion by end of 2026.
  • Arlington Expressway landscaping: FDOT partnering to landscape from west of University to Cree; construction letting in November 2026, start early 2027.
  • Arlington Expressway roundabout improvement: FDOT converting the north movement to a roundabout for safer downtown access; $10M allocated, construction in 2028. Concrete median barriers planned.
  • Traffic engineering questions: Roundabouts reduce crash severity; resident concern about pavement damage at Fort Caroline roundabout; vegetation overgrowth on Fort Caroline Road and Yachtsman's Way will be addressed.
  • Yard waste complaints: Public Works will follow up on missed pickups; commercial contractor waste must be handled by contractors.

JSO Crime and Traffic Update (Commander Ring Valentine)

  • Crime statistics by sector (month/year-to-date changes):
    • Echo: down 4% month, down 10% YTD.
    • Fox Trot F1: up 50% month (18 vs 12 incidents), down 30% YTD.
    • Delta 2: down 37% month, down 11% YTD.
    • Delta 6: up 19% month (31 vs 26), down 22% YTD.
    • Overall District 2 down about 3% total crime; District 1 similarly down 3%.
  • Flock cameras: Valued for tracking vehicles from crimes and finding missing persons. Privacy concerns addressed: cameras only photograph license plates in public; audit trails prevent misuse; data retained 5 years.
  • Traffic enforcement: Officers mandated to spend one hour per shift targeting high-crash areas. Speeding over 50 mph over limit or over 100 mph results in arrest and vehicle seizure. Red light running remains a concern; school bus cameras now issue tickets.
  • Roundabout with flashing signals: Undercover officers will enforce pedestrian crosswalk violations.

Public Comments and Discussion

  • Resident concerns: Speeding on University Boulevard, dangerous roundabout pavement, school bus stop-arm violations, foliage blocking traffic signs, a missing bollard at Blue Cypress, and illegal dumping. All were acknowledged with follow-up commitments.
  • Proposed townhouses on Tracy Street (affordable/workforce housing): JWB Capital project; 80% area median income; the site was previously an illegal dumping area.
  • Mill Creek Road sidewalk: Request for sidewalk; Public Works will assess but noted right-of-way challenges.
  • Regency Square redevelopment: Demolition underway; Circle K gas station planned; school board considering a building in the development.
  • Fire Station 66: Construction nearly complete at Sunday Acres Park; temporary facility already staffed, improving response times.
  • Councilmember's anti-litter initiative: Ideas solicited via email for a community cleanup campaign.

Key Outcomes and Next Steps

  • The one-mill renewal referendum will be on the November 2026 ballot.
  • University Boulevard Complete Streets public meeting: Wednesday, August 27, 5:00–6:30 PM at Blue Cypress Park.
  • Arlington Expressway landscaping construction letting in November 2026; roundabout improvements in 2028.
  • School board to hold public meetings on Justina Elementary surplus and Grass Academy naming.
  • Parks will evaluate adding a swing set at Blue Cypress and address lake algae and feral cat issues.
  • JSO will continue targeted traffic enforcement and use of Flock cameras.
  • Councilmember will develop a community litter initiative based on resident input.

Meeting Transcript

It's about it on time. First of all, welcome to the uh district one town hall meetings 24 2026. Thank you for coming out and uh devoteing your time to have a conversation about this community that you and I call a lot of exciting things that are taking place. I don't think we've had the opportunity to drive around some courts. Uh some transformational work is already taking place. But it wouldn't be a community without your involvement, without your participation without your voice. So tonight I'm here to be here from you to have you here to get me as well as some of the city departments that serve our community and what they're doing to improve the quality of life and make life better for each and every one of us in their comment and quality. I'd like this to begin with some invocation and a pledge of legions. My buddy will do the pledge, and I will say it for every letter. Almighty God, we thank you for yet a new day. We thank you for this opportunity to assemble it as a community, unity. Um voice for this community we call and thank you for gracing us with life and strength in our body. Thank you for this opportunity to assemble as one. Um guard our speech, give us wisdom and the things that we say, give us a receptive ear, hear what has been said, and give us the wisdom to move forward. The objective here is to make our community better, not just for us, but for children and our grandchildren. God, we thank you for hearing up for the sun and the whole east there. Well, we're not thank you, sir. Uh we have a number of presenters this evening, and we will try to um if there aren't uh if it's not an overwhelming number of questions, we'll try to answer some questions after each presenter. But uh our goal is to try and get you as much information as possible to get you out of here by secondary as the objective. And since we have started a new school year, I thought it would be appropriate to have our school board member that uh covers district one to come and share with us tonight. Um those of us may not have kids in the school system, but we do have neighbors and maybe grandchildren who are enrolled in the school system this year, district one. So please receive uh Tony Ricardo, who all county school board, district number one representative for the beginning of our meeting. Come on. Well, I can echo uh councilman the maritime senator. I appreciate y'all attending uh and taking an interest in community. Um I figured I'd start out first with one of the hot topics of the last two weeks is the air conditioners in the school. We apparently have been in the quite a bit. Um as you know, any person building usually has to run uh a piece of machinery in order to keep it running. So yes, we do run those during the summer. Um that's the question that's been asked quite a bit. Um there are some just three things that happen, wires being rubbed abroad up against cabinets and shortened things out, lightning strikes and those kind of things. Uh this year has been unusually uh high number of incidents on air conditioning units, so yes, there's there's been quite a few, and they are all being taken care of. As far as I know, we're on top of all of them uh as I speak right now, but it's more for the new day. Um, as far as uh attendance, we're doing very well, but as you know, or maybe don't know, uh the birth rate is going down. So our attendance rates in most of the schools are declining slightly. This is not due to just charter schools or choices. Yes, those choices are out there, but our attendance is declining very, very slightly. Um most of the schools are just losing maybe 20 students or so, and uh that's been consistent over the last few years. We're working to rectify that again. My position when I campaign was to make uh public schools very competitive, and I'm I'm a further leader in competition, so we need to offer the best products of kids will come to us. Um we have a few projects. I'm not gonna spend any time on it yet because I know it's coming up later, but we do have an arts in the public uh arts coming up, and we're working on uh I'm trying to engage the students at Fort Carolina School of the Arts, the uh middle school to uh participate in that. I have a background in commercial art and uh done several murals in the past, and I just want to have the students get the opportunity to experience something like that. So that's what we're trying to do is use the students at Fort Caroline to do that project as much as possible. Last item uh the one mill. It's coming up on November, and there's a lot of misinformation out there. I thought I'd just like to make sure that everyone understands what it is and where it came from, why it's there, and what the results have been over the last four years. The one mill, I'll take you back to 2022. We had a very severe teaching shortage at that time. Um some of you remember that.

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