Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee Meeting – October 19, 2026

The Rules Committee of the Jacksonville City Council met on Monday, October 19, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 11:09 AM in the Council Chamber. All seven committee members were present: Chair Mike Gay, Vice Chair Ken Amaro, Michael Boylan, Tyrona Clark-Murray, Will Lahnen, Ju'Coby Pittman, and Ron Salem. The committee considered a lengthy agenda, including several appointments, reappointments, ordinance amendments, and funding items. Key debates centered on the reappointment of a JEA board member, degree requirements for a city department director, and funding for affordable housing.

Consent Calendar

• 2026-0733 – Confirmed the Mayor’s appointment of Gabriel T. Roberts to the Civil Service Board for a partial term expiring 3/30/27. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0770 – Confirmed the Mayor’s appointment of Jennifer Betancourt Peterson to the Board of Library Trustees as an At-Large Group 4 representative. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0771 – Confirmed the Mayor’s appointment of J. Scott Gaillard to the Board of Library Trustees as an At-Large Group 4 representative. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0774 – Confirmed the Mayor’s appointment of Allison Galloway-Gonzalez to the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0776 – Confirmed the Mayor’s appointment of Aleizha Batson to the Planning Commission, representing Planning District 5. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0758 – Reappointed Angela Strain to the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida as a “Purchaser.” Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0759 – Reappointed Wiatt F. Bowers to the Health Planning Council as a “Consumer.” Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0760 – Reappointed Christopher L. Nuland to the Health Planning Council as a “Consumer.” Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0761 – Reappointed Dr. Lori Bilello to the Health Planning Council as a “Consumer.” Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0762 – Confirmed the reappointment of Blake Bass to the TRUE Commission. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0763 – Confirmed the reappointment of Charles M. Barr to the TRUE Commission. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0764 – Reappointed Elizabeth Payne to the Health Planning Council as a “Provider.” Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0772 – Reappointed Dr. Sunil Joshi to the Environmental Protection Board. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0775 – Confirmed the Mayor’s reappointment of Caleena M. Shirley to the Jacksonville Housing Authority. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0825 – Resolution celebrating November 21, 2026, as National Adoption Day and November 2026 as National Adoption Month. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0827 – Resolution celebrating the 160th anniversary of Edward Waters University. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0828 – Resolution honoring Carol J. Alexander for contributions to arts, culture, and historic preservation. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0829 – Resolution honoring Reverend Elizabeth Elaine Yates upon her retirement. Approved 7-0.
• 2026-0830 – Resolution honoring broadcast journalist Phil Amato upon his retirement. Approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carnell Oliver – Addressed the committee regarding item 2026-0672 (surplus property donation to Destined for a Change, Inc.), which was later withdrawn. His specific concerns were not fully transcribed.
• John J. Nooney – Spoke about several items on the agenda, including reappointments to the TRUE Commission (2026-0762, 0763) and the Health Planning Council (2026-0764). He referenced the “Greater Arlington CPAC” and the “Kids Hope Alliance,” and noted he was making a donation to the parks trust. His remarks were partially unclear but indicated dissatisfaction with certain appointments.

Discussion Items

• 2026-0203 – Reappointment of Joseph “Joe” P. DiSalvo to the JEA Board of Directors. General DiSalvo spoke about his qualifications and commitment to independent governance. Council Member Salem opposed, citing concerns about DiSalvo’s role in handling a CEO transition and a press conference with the Mayor that Salem characterized as political interference. Council Members Boylan, Amaro, Clark-Murray, Pittman, and Chair Gay spoke in support, praising DiSalvo’s institutional knowledge and willingness to learn. The vote was 6-1 in favor (Salem opposed).
• 2026-0687 – Ordinance amending the Corrections Employees Defined Contribution Plan to define “Earnable Compensation” and correct a nine-year practice of including certain pay types. The amendment corrected scrivener’s errors and clarified original intent. Approved unanimously (7-0). Council Member Lahnen noted the bill codified existing practice.
• 2026-0722 – Ordinance renaming the Office of Administrative Services as a department and adjusting qualification requirements for the Director and Division Chiefs. A technical amendment was adopted. Council Member Salem offered an amendment to retain the bachelor’s degree requirement, arguing that a college degree is a minimal qualification for high-level management. The amendment failed 2-5 (Salem and Lahnen in support). The bill as amended was approved 6-1 (Salem opposed). Council Members Clark-Murray, Boylan, and Pittman supported the “in lieu of” language to broaden the candidate pool.
• 2026-0752 – Ordinance authorizing a $2.8 million development loan to Tori Meadows, LTD. (Vestcor) for a 180-unit affordable housing project at or below 60% AMI. Auditor-recommended amendments reduced the general partner distribution limit from $500,000 to $280,000 and corrected scrivener’s errors. Council Member Lahnen offered a substitute to fund the loan from specific affordable housing trust accounts (capital stack and utility tap fees), but it failed 2-5 (Lahnen and Gay in support). The bill was approved 4-3 (Amaro, Boylan, Pittman, Salem in favor; Gay, Lahnen, Clark-Murray opposed).
• 2026-0778 – Ordinance extending the deadline for the Homelessness Initiatives Commission to submit a 5-year strategic plan from October 31, 2026 to February 1, 2027. Staff explained the draft was received and public workshops were needed. Approves 6-0-1 (Pittman abstained citing potential conflict).

Key Outcomes

• Reappointment of Joe DiSalvo to JEA – Approved 6-1. (Salem nay)
• Corrections Defined Contribution Plan amendment – Approved 7-0.
• Administrative Services Department reorg – Approved 6-1. (Salem nay)
• Tori Meadows affordable housing loan – Approved 4-3.
• Homelessness Commission deadline extension – Approved 6-0-1.
• Item 2026-0672 (surplus property donation) – Withdrawn 6-0.
• Item 2026-0773 (reappointment to Environmental Protection Board) – Withdrawn 7-0.
• Item 2026-0517 (appointment of Julio Alayo to Construction Trades Board) – Deferred pending resolution of issues; Chair Gay indicated action will be taken at the next meeting.
• Item 2026-0756 (grant expenditure prohibition) – Deferred to be heard in the Neighborhoods Committee.
• Items 35-36 (Wareworks and Junior Achievement funding) – Read second and rereferred; no vote in Rules.
• Council Member Boylan distributed a list of discretionary fund balances available for e-bike safety signage, related to state streets initiative discussion.