OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Jacksonville, Florida/City Council
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jacksonville Rules Committee Meeting – October 5, 2026: JTA Emergency Funding, Appointments, and Quorum Rule Change

City Council — Monday, October 5, 2026
BodyJacksonville, Florida
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, October 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:24:51

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

And welcome to the Monday, October 5th, 2026 rules meeting.

0:07

I call the meeting to order.

0:09

And before before I go to introductions on the dice, I would just like to uh note just put a notice out.

0:20

If you're here for public comment, please fill out a green speaker card so we we can have a record of you and uh be able to make sure you're able to uh come up and speak.

0:35

With that, let's go ahead and start to my left with Mr.

0:38

Dennis with introductions.

Speaker 2

0:40

Good morning, Garrett Dennis administration.

Speaker 3

0:42

Colleen Hempsey, Council Research, Harlow Shell, Office of General Council, Mr.

0:47

Carihur, Council

Speaker 4

0:48

Auditor's Office.

Speaker 5

0:49

Philip Peterson, Council Otter.

0:51

Canamar, City Council, District 1.

Speaker 1

0:53

Mike Gay, District 2.

0:55

Will Lane and District 3.

Speaker 6

0:57

Good morning.

0:58

Time of Clark Marie, District 9.

Unassigned speaker

1:01

Good

Speaker 7

1:01

morning, Michael Boylan, District 6.

1:03

Good morning, Nick

Speaker 8

1:03

Holland at large,

Speaker 7

1:04

group three.

Speaker 9

1:05

Randy White, District 12, just visiting.

Speaker 1

1:09

All right.

1:09

Thank you all and welcome uh council president and uh formal council president uh here this morning.

1:16

Uh glad to have y'all.

1:18

Uh we'll go ahead and go to public comment.

1:25

All right.

1:26

So we'll have you'll be given three minutes to speak.

1:31

So when you come up uh to speak to a uh item on our agenda, uh give your name and address.

1:39

And if you can say addresses on file.

1:44

The first speaker will be Mr.

1:47

Terry Caldwell.

1:49

Come on up, sir, and you'll have three minutes.

Speaker 9

1:55

Good morning, council members.

1:57

Um yeah,

Unassigned speaker

1:59

I

Speaker 9

1:59

seen the video from last month's um uh name and address for the record.

2:03

Oh, yeah.

2:04

Um Terry Caldwell, 3628, Hermitage Road East, 3221,

Unassigned speaker

2:09

uh

Speaker 9

2:09

3227, District 1.

2:12

Um, yeah, 7 o'clock this morning.

2:14

I watched last month's meeting, and it got me going a little bit this morning.

2:20

So I didn't know if I wanted to do a rebuttal or

Unassigned speaker

2:24

to

Speaker 9

2:24

give you an update, so I'm gonna cut the update short.

2:27

Um, Mr.

2:29

O'Leo and Essential

Unassigned speaker

2:30

uh

Speaker 9

2:31

heating uh essential heating there that was given 30 days to complete the job.

2:35

Today's 35, they're still not still not done.

2:38

It has failed twice since they've tried to put it in.

2:42

Um I noticed

Unassigned speaker

2:44

the

Speaker 9

2:44

first time it failed, it looked like they tried to put a generic um compressor in there.

2:50

They only had two bolts or four bolts bolted down.

2:53

I looked at it at five eighths inch copper tubing, which means it was less than a three and a half ton when we have a four and a half ton, the actual unit is a four-ton.

3:01

But anyway, besides that, I'm getting into

Unassigned speaker

3:03

the

Speaker 9

3:04

part where

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters██████████████████18%
Public Transportation██████████████████18%
Budget█████████████████17%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Comment█████████9%
Council Modernization█████5%
Ethics and Governance████4%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Mental Health Awareness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Jacksonville Rules Committee Meeting – October 5, 2026

The Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee convened on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the Council Chamber. The meeting, chaired by Mike Gay, lasted until 11:24 AM. Key actions included approving an emergency ordinance to allow JTA to borrow up to $30 million from Local Option Gas Tax funds, confirming multiple board appointments, and amending the quorum requirement for standing committees. Several items were deferred, including a contested appointment to the Construction Trades Qualifying Board.

Consent Calendar

  • 2026-0662 – Establishment of the Deep Creek Community Development District (CDD) (2,091.18 acres, 2,634 residential units) approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0704 – Approval of the collective bargaining agreement between JEA and LiUNA Local 630 (3-year term, 10/1/25–9/30/28; total cost $9.8 million; 3.5% wage increases each year) approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0705 – Surplus 2015 Chevrolet Silverado truck (value $10,725±) donated to Volunteer Life Saving Corps, Inc. approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0698 – Appropriation of $111,233 from the Environmental Protection Fund for the 19th State of the River Report (amended to FY2026/2027 and removed carryover language) amended and approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0702 – Honorary street designation for “The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine” on State Street (waived code requirements for individual honoree) amended and approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0725 – Appointment of Leroy C. Kelly to the TRUE Commission approved 8-0.
  • 2026-0726 – Appointment of Danette J. Hernandez to the Council on Elder Affairs approved 8-0.
  • 2026-0729 – Appointment of Liz McDonald to the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0730 – Appointment of Dr. Christopher Destephano to the Opioid & Substance Use Disorder Grants Committee approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0731 – Appointment of Yildirim “Alex” Sivar to the Jacksonville Housing Authority approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0732 – Appointment of Sean Turker to the Public Service Grant Council approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0727 – Reappointment of Micah Heavener to the DIA Board (attended 90% of meetings) approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0728 – Reappointment of Jill Caffey to the DIA Board (attended 77% of meetings) approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0766 – Resolution honoring Destiny Preparatory Academy on its 5th Anniversary approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0767 – Resolution honoring Leadership Jax on its 50th Anniversary approved 7-0.
  • 2026-0769 – Resolution declaring October 2026 as Scouting America Page Month in Jacksonville approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Terry Caldwell (3628 Hermitage Road East) testified about an unresolved HVAC issue with Julio Alayo’s company, disputing claims made about the job and criticizing the nominee’s conduct.
  • Pastor Timothy Johnson Sr. (613 West Ashley) urged the council to extend the Emerald Trail into Brooklyn and Mixon Town, noting blight and lack of attention from District 7 representatives.
  • Carnell Oliver (address on file) opposed the appointment of Allison Galloway-Gonzalez to the Cultural Council, arguing that boards should prioritize appointees under the 1866 Civil Rights Act (freedmen) over those under the 1964 Act.
  • John J. Nooney (8356 Bascom Road) commented on multiple agenda items, including JTA finances, trust funds, and board appointments, and requested a yard sign from the Attorney General.
  • Daniel Kurzi (address on file) spoke in support of the JEA/LiUNA collective bargaining agreement on behalf of union members, asking the committee to approve it.

Discussion Items

  • JTA Financial Update Presentation – Randall Barnes (JTA CFO) presented a detailed overview of JTA’s fiscal year 2026 shortfall ($39 million projected), citing optimistic revenue projections, increased costs for Connexion Plus, NAVI, and Skyway, and insufficient cost reductions. The FY2027 budget ($139.2 million) relies on a reduction of 200 employees, service pauses (NAVI, Skyway), modified Saturday bus schedules, a fare increase from $1.75 to $2.00 (January 2027), and improved financial controls. The presentation included reporting errors (gross vs. net LOGT reporting) and depletion of reserves.
  • Ordinance 2026-0780 (JTA Emergency) – Council President Howland (visiting) explained the emergency bill, which authorizes JTA to borrow up to $30 million from unexpended Local Option Gas Tax (LOGT) funds to pay down its line of credit and for eligible expenditures. The loan is interest-free and must be repaid from non-LOGT funds by September 30, 2037. The emergency justification cited delay costs and the need to act within the authorization term. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to approve the emergency, then amended (filling blanks, clarifying “non-LOGT II funds”, removing sunset language) and approved the bill as amended 7-0.
  • Appointment of Julio Alayo (Item 2026-0517) – Alayo, nominated to the Construction Trades Qualifying Board, faced extended questioning about a customer complaint regarding an air conditioning repair. Despite Alayo’s assurances of ongoing work, Councilmember Salem moved to defer indefinitely until the issue is fully resolved. The committee voted unanimously to defer the appointment. Councilmember Pittman expressed concern about setting a precedent that discourages volunteer service over one dissatisfied customer.
  • Council Rule Change (2026-0709) – Chair Gay’s proposal to amend Council Rule 2.210, changing the quorum for standing committees from five members (or four with two excused absences) to a majority of members, passed 5-2. Councilmembers Boylan and Clark-Murray voted no, arguing it reduces accountability and allows members to avoid difficult votes.
  • Administrative Services Reorganization (2026-0722) – The bill to rename the Office of Administrative Services as a department and adjust qualifications for the director (adding “in lieu of” degree language) was debated. Councilmember Salem opposed dropping the bachelor’s degree requirement for department heads. The committee deferred the item to allow a noticed meeting for further discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (7-0): Emergency Ordinance 2026-0780 amending JTA’s use of LOGT funds (up to $30 million loan) as amended.
  • Approved (7-0): Quorum rule change (2026-0709) – effective immediately (5-2 vote).
  • Approved (7-0): Establishment of Deep Creek CDD, State of the River funding (amended), honorary street designation (amended), JEA labor agreement, surplus vehicle donation, several reappointments and appointments (see Consent Calendar).
  • Deferred: Julio Alayo appointment (2026-0517) indefinitely; Administrative Services reorganization (2026-0722) pending a noticed meeting.
  • Deferred (at request of sponsors): Items 2024-0966, 2026-0192, 2026-0203, 2026-0227, 2026-0320, 2026-0672, 2026-0677, 2026-0687, and 2026-0733.
  • Second reading items (2026-0752, 2026-0756, 2026-0758, 2026-0759, 2026-0760, 2026-0761, 2026-0762, 2026-0763, 2026-0764, 2026-0770, 2026-0771, 2026-0772, 2026-0773, 2026-0774, 2026-0775, 2026-0776, 2026-0778, 2026-0779) were read and rereferred to the next committee meetings.
  • Next meeting: The committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

And welcome to the Monday, October 5th, 2026 rules meeting. I call the meeting to order. And before before I go to introductions on the dice, I would just like to uh note just put a notice out. If you're here for public comment, please fill out a green speaker card so we we can have a record of you and uh be able to make sure you're able to uh come up and speak. With that, let's go ahead and start to my left with Mr. Dennis with introductions. Good morning, Garrett Dennis administration. Colleen Hempsey, Council Research, Harlow Shell, Office of General Council, Mr. Carihur, Council Auditor's Office. Philip Peterson, Council Otter. Canamar, City Council, District 1. Mike Gay, District 2. Will Lane and District 3. Good morning. Time of Clark Marie, District 9. Good morning, Michael Boylan, District 6. Good morning, Nick Holland at large, group three. Randy White, District 12, just visiting. All right. Thank you all and welcome uh council president and uh formal council president uh here this morning. Uh glad to have y'all. Uh we'll go ahead and go to public comment. All right. So we'll have you'll be given three minutes to speak. So when you come up uh to speak to a uh item on our agenda, uh give your name and address. And if you can say addresses on file. The first speaker will be Mr. Terry Caldwell. Come on up, sir, and you'll have three minutes. Good morning, council members. Um yeah, I seen the video from last month's um uh name and address for the record. Oh, yeah. Um Terry Caldwell, 3628, Hermitage Road East, 3221, uh 3227, District 1. Um, yeah, 7 o'clock this morning. I watched last month's meeting, and it got me going a little bit this morning. So I didn't know if I wanted to do a rebuttal or to give you an update, so I'm gonna cut the update short. Um, Mr. O'Leo and Essential uh heating uh essential heating there that was given 30 days to complete the job.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com