2026-10-13 - City Council

00:00Mr. Vice President.

00:01>> All right.

00:03With that,

00:06we'll go a little lighter on the tap of

00:08that time. Welcome to

00:11uh full council meeting. It is Tuesday,

00:14October 13th, 5:00. We're going to go

00:15ahead and get this meeting started. As

00:17you will notice,

00:19uh I'm the council vice president.

00:20Council President Halland is out of town

00:22right now. We have a few other excusals

00:24as well that I'll read later. But for

00:26now, let's go ahead and throw it over to

00:28the floor leader.

00:28>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Our first

00:30order of business is the invocation and

00:32pledge of allegiance. I would ask you to

00:33you please recognize Council Member

00:35Amaro, our Council Chaplain, to

00:37introduce the lead pastor of Destiny

00:38Church for today's invocation.

00:41>> Thank you, Councilman Boylan.

00:45Uh Pastor Chris Tomlinson is the lead

00:47pastor of Destiny Church of

00:48Jacksonville, where he has served the

00:50community for nearly 15 years. With with

00:5428 years of ministry experience, Chris

00:56has devoted his life to helping people

00:59grow in faith, discover their God-given

01:02purpose, and make a meaningful

01:03difference in the lives of others.

01:06In addition to his pastoral leadership,

01:08Chris is a business owner and community

01:11leader with a deep commitment to the

01:13people and the future of Jacksonville.

01:15He is passionate about building strong

01:18families, developing leaders, and seeing

01:20individuals and communities flourish.

01:23Chris and his wife, Jodie, have been

01:25married for 29 years, and they're the

01:27proud parents of three daughters. Please

01:30receive Pastor Chris Tomlinson for

01:32tonight's invocation.

01:35>> Well, good evening, Vice President

01:36Carucci, distinguished members of the

01:38council, and everyone else gathered

01:40here. First, I thank you for the honor

01:42and the privilege of being here. I

01:45genuinely love this city, and I'm

01:47grateful for you men and women who have

01:49accepted the responsibility to help lead

01:51it. I recognize that public service is

01:55not easy, and that leadership often

01:58requires difficult decisions, and doing

02:01what's right is not always what's

02:04popular. But, I also believe that

02:06leadership is one of the greatest

02:07opportunities that we have to make a

02:09difference in people's lives. So, thank

02:12you for your yes. It's my privilege now

02:14to get to pray for you guys, to pray for

02:17uh your families, and to pray for this

02:18great city that we call home. So, if you

02:20would to join me in prayer, please.

02:23Heavenly Father,

02:25we thank you, Lord.

02:26We thank you, Lord, for your goodness,

02:28and we come to you tonight, Lord, with

02:30grateful hearts, Lord, just recognizing

02:33that every good and perfect gift comes

02:34from heaven above.

02:36And Lord, one of the greatest gifts that

02:38you have given us is the privilege of

02:39calling Jacksonville our home.

02:42We thank you, Lord, for this city,

02:44for its people, its families, its

02:45neighborhoods, and for the tremendous

02:47potential that you've placed within it.

02:50We thank you, Lord, that your word, it

02:52tells us, Lord, that if we lack for

02:54wisdom, then Lord, we can ask you for

02:56it, and then Lord, you would give it to

02:57us uh generally. And so, tonight, Lord,

02:59we're asking. Lord, give these leaders,

03:02Lord, wisdom that goes beyond their

03:04experience.

03:05Give them discernment that sees beyond

03:08the obvious, and give them courage to

03:10stand for what is right, even when

03:11standing alone would be easier to avoid.

03:15And Lord, remind us, Lord, that the

03:16decisions that are made in this room

03:18don't just simply affect budgets,

03:20buildings, and policies, but they affect

03:23people, real people. Families trying to

03:25make ends meet, parents praying for

03:27their children, business owners pursuing

03:30their dreams, and generations who will

03:32inherit the city that we're building

03:33today. So, Father, let every decision

03:36tonight be guided with wisdom, every

03:38conversation seasoned with grace, and

03:41every action motivated by love.

03:43Where there is division, Lord, bring

03:44unity.

03:45Where there is confusion, bring clarity.

03:48Where there is fear, bring courage. And

03:51where there is injustice, let

03:52righteousness prevail. Lord, I don't

03:54want to simply pray that Jacksonville

03:56would become a a bigger city, a a

03:58wealthier city, or even a more

04:00successful city. I pray that we would

04:02become a better city. A city where the

04:05forgotten are remembered, where the

04:07vulnerable are protected, where our

04:09families and our our children's can

04:11dream and flourish, and where our

04:13churches can shine as beacons of hope.

04:17Father, let us never become so impressed

04:19with what we can accomplish by our own

04:21strength that we forget how desperately

04:23we need yours.

04:25Your word declares, "Unless the Lord

04:28builds the house, they labor in vain who

04:30build it." So, Lord, build something

04:31beautiful here in Jacksonville.

04:33Something that will outlast political

04:35terms, transcend personal agendas, and

04:39leave a legacy of hope for generations

04:40yet to come.

04:42Bless these leaders. Bless their

04:44families. Bless every person who serves

04:46this city. And may Jacksonville be known

04:49not simply for the greatness of its

04:51skyline, but for the goodness of its

04:53people.

04:54And we ask all this in the mighty and

04:56matchless name of your son, in Jesus'

04:58name. And everyone say

04:59>> Amen.

05:00>> Amen. Thank you.

05:02>> Thank you.

05:04>> I pledge allegiance

05:21>> Mr. President, I stand you have Vice

05:22President, you have a couple of

05:23announcements.

05:24>> All right. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr.

05:25Floor Leader. We have a few

05:26announcements. Uh first and foremost, we

05:29have quite a few excused absences. So,

05:31first I'll read those off. We have

05:33Council President Hallan, Council Member

05:35Carlucci, and Council Member Diamond,

05:37Diamond. And then we have non-excused

05:39absence from Council Member Carrico, as

05:41well as a late arrival from Council

05:44Member Woman Pittman. So, count She's

05:48here? She's just got here? All right,

05:49welcome Councilwoman Pittman. Thank you

05:51so much.

05:53The next announcement is that leaves us

05:56at 15 members. We need 14 for a quorum,

05:58so just keep that in mind as you go back

06:01and forth to the green room.

06:03And dinner has been provided as well, so

06:05you obviously saw that back there.

06:08So, just keep all of those things in

06:09mind. And with that, we I have no other

06:11announcements.

06:13>> Thank you, Ms. President. Time for roll

06:14call.

06:26>> 15 present.

06:28>> It's now time for the approval of

06:30minutes from the regular Council meeting

06:32of September 22nd. I move the approval.

06:36>> We have a motion and a second on the

06:38approval of the minutes.

06:40All in favor of the minutes signify by

06:41saying I.

06:42Any opposed?

06:44>> Mr. Vice President, we have a a short

06:46list of communications from the mayor

06:47and others. Would you like that read or

06:49filed with legislative services?

06:51>> Please file them.

06:52>> We have two presentations today. The

06:54first was introduced by Councilman

06:57Miller.

06:58Honoring and commending Jeremiah Turner

07:01for his long-standing service

07:03with the Jacksonville Humane Society.

07:05Mr. Teal, would you please read the

07:07resolution?

07:17>> Is this mic on?

07:21>> Mr. Teal, hold on. Is your mic on?

07:23Sorry. We're kind of questioning.

07:26Maybe the red button on the panel down

07:27there.

07:31Hold on.

07:31>> There you go.

07:34>> Nope.

07:49>> Resolution 2026-642.

07:53The Jacksonville Humane Society's

07:55positive reading program allows children

07:57to read to shelter animals, which has

07:59the dual benefit of reducing the

08:01animals' stress while providing a

08:03positive educational experience that

08:05supports literacy among young people.

08:08Nehemiah Turner, an 11-year-old

08:10Jacksonville resident, has proven to be

08:13a model of compassionate and dedicated

08:15service as a volunteer with the positive

08:17reading program.

08:19Mr. Turner has participated in the

08:21program for more than 2 years, often

08:24accompanied by his grandmother, and the

08:26Jacksonville Humane Society has

08:27recognized him as the first child in the

08:30program to log 100 hours, displaying his

08:33commitment to volunteer service and

08:35compassion for animals.

08:38Mr. Turner's stated goal of soothing

08:39animals to increase their odds of

08:41finding a loving home reflects a spirit

08:44of empathy, care, and civic duty that

08:47has touched people both locally and

08:49nationally.

08:51National and local media, including ABC

08:53News, People Magazine, and Action News

08:55Jax, among others, have recognized Mr.

08:58Turner's volunteer service,

09:00showcasing the impact young people can

09:02have on their communities.

09:04The City Council wishes to join the

09:05Jacksonville Humane Society and citizens

09:08across the city and the nation in

09:10praising Mr. Turner for his generosity

09:12and tenacity, which has served as an

09:15inspiration for adults and youth to

09:17serve their communities.

09:19Now, therefore,

09:21be it resolved by the Council of the

09:22City of Jacksonville.

09:24The City Council hereby honors and

09:25commends Nehemiah Turner for his

09:27volunteer service with the Jacksonville

09:29Humane Society and his compassion for

09:31animals, showcasing the positive impact

09:34young people can have in their

09:35community.

09:37Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

10:21Okay, but I'm going to We We normally

10:23start by saying a little a few things.

10:25So, I'm going to do that real quick, and

10:26then I'm going to give Nehemiah the

10:28opportunity, um if he'd like to say a

10:30few words. Would you like to say a few

10:32words when I'm done? No?

10:35He's saying no. Well,

10:38you you've heard uh what a fine young

10:41man that this is, and I and I refer to

10:45um scripture, and I and I'm reading

10:48right now in my read through in the book

10:50of Nehemiah, and Nehemiah was an amazing

10:55leader.

10:56And you're an amazing leader for our

10:59youth.

11:01Whether you realize it or not, there are

11:03a lot of young boys and girls

11:06who are watching you.

11:08They're watching what you're doing.

11:10They're watching the difference you make

11:13for these dogs and cats,

11:15and help them to get prepared for their

11:18forever home.

11:20And you're doing that.

11:22And I thank you so much

11:24that you have such a wonderful heart,

11:26and it not only helps you with your

11:28reading,

11:29but you're helping those dogs and cats

11:32to get ready

11:34for the place that they've never had

11:36before, a forever home. Uh so, I thank

11:39you. I thank your grandmother, Joanna,

11:42who has made this all happen. He's now

11:45up to 124 hours now, and he has a goal

11:48of 250 hours.

11:50And then 500 hours. He's not going to

11:53stop. And so, I know you said you didn't

11:55want to say anything, but if you could

11:58say something to other boys and girls,

12:01if they're thinking about maybe reading

12:03to dogs and cats at the Jacksonville

12:05Humane Society or anywhere, what would

12:07you like to tell them? Would Would you

12:09like to say something to them?

12:11Please, go ahead.

12:13>> Um

12:14I would like to say if they wanted to

12:16read to Jacksonville Humane Society,

12:17they can go up there.

12:19And all I can tell them is

12:22start reading

12:23all the time and at home and at the

12:25Humane Society

12:27every single day

12:28if they want to.

12:30>> Thank you.

12:32Thank you so much.

12:56>> All right, Mr. Floor Leader, do we have

12:58another presentation?

12:59>> Our second resolution is being presented

13:01by Council Member Ferraro to Commanding

13:03Officer Willie Perry upon his retirement

13:06from public safety service. Again, Mr.

13:08Teal, would you please read the

13:10resolution?

13:12>> Resolution 2026-519.

13:15Officer Willie Perry has devoted 46

13:18years of distinguished public service to

13:19the residents of Jacksonville through

13:21his commitment to public safety, youth

13:23development, and community engagement.

13:26Serving for 31 years with the

13:27Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and 15

13:30years as a school resource office

13:32officer with the Duval County Public

13:33Schools.

13:35During his tenure with the Jacksonville

13:36Sheriff's Office, Officer Perry

13:38demonstrated professionalism, integrity,

13:40and unwavering commitment to protecting

13:42and serving the citizens of

13:43Jacksonville.

13:45As one of the first school resource

13:47officers in Jacksonville, Officer Perry

13:50has spent the past 15 years serving

13:52countless students, families, and

13:54educators by creating safe and

13:56supportive learning environments and

13:58ensuring that all students feel seen and

14:00worthy.

14:02Officer Perry describes his work not as

14:04a job, but as a joyful journey.

14:07And his desire to spark joy within

14:08students defines his service and will

14:10leave an indelible mark on the countless

14:13lives he has touched.

14:15Officer Perry's legacy of service,

14:17compassion, and uplifting the students

14:19of Duval County has been memorialized in

14:21a children's book,

14:23The Legend on the Sidewalk,

14:25authored by Parkwood Heights Elementary

14:27School's reading interventionist Amy

14:29Clark,

14:30who saw firsthand Officer Perry's care

14:32and commitment to empowering students

14:34and educators.

14:36Officer Perry's leadership, compassion,

14:38and years of service have strengthened

14:40the relationship between law

14:41enforcement, schools, and neighborhoods

14:44throughout Jacksonville.

14:46The City Council recognizes that public

14:48servants, such as Willie Perry, embody

14:50the highest ideals of civic duty and

14:52stewardship, leaving a legacy of service

14:55that uplifts present and future

14:57generations and honors him for his

14:59contributions and faithful service to

15:01the City of Jacksonville.

15:03Now, therefore,

15:04be it resolved by the Council of the

15:06City of Jacksonville.

15:08The City Council hereby honors and

15:09commends Officer Willie Perry for his

15:12decades of exemplary service with the

15:13Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the

15:15Duval County Public Schools and extends

15:17sincere appreciation for his dedication

15:20to the citizens, students, and families

15:22of Jacksonville.

15:24Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

15:45>> There's something I learned a long time

15:46ago that people some people come into

15:49your life

15:50and they're blessings and others are a

15:53lesson

15:54on how to be and how not to be.

15:58How to have a servant's heart.

16:00I find it ironic that we have a young

16:02man

16:04demonstrating a servant's heart. We have

16:07a much older man demonstrating

16:10a servant's heart.

16:11Today, that's what we need in our

16:13community and

16:15when Officer Perry retired, I thought

16:18this would be a simple, humble token

16:21to tell him thank you.

16:23Thank you for the service that he's

16:25given back to this community.

16:28He's here tonight with his family and

16:32his pastors uh

16:34uh

16:35Bishop Rudolph McKissick Sr.

16:38and Bishop McKissick uh Rudolph

16:40McKissick Jr.

16:42Bishop Sr. just turned 99.

16:50And his wife Willie, if you want to come

16:52up, get the mic. Willie doesn't say

16:54much, but

16:55introduce your family, if you please.

16:59>> Well, you met my father, Reverend

17:01Bishop McKissick, my brother Rudy

17:03McKissick, my wife Diana, my sister

17:06Cynthia, my brother Clarence, my brother

17:09George, my brother Bruce, my brother

17:11Kent.

17:12I I thank Ken

17:14for giving me such an honor.

17:17Ken is my man.

17:18That's That's my guy. Uh

17:21anything good about me, I'm going to

17:22give God the glory.

17:23>> Yes, sir.

17:24>> But coming up,

17:26we had a man that that we look up to,

17:28who we all wanted to be like. We wanted

17:30to walk like him. We wanted to talk like

17:31him. We wanted to smell like him because

17:33of the cologne he had on. It was British

17:34Sterling 500, and you could smell it 100

17:36ft away.

17:37And that was Bishop McKissick.

17:39That That is our father. That That is

17:41the man we know. And anything you see

17:43about us, the parish,

17:44>> Yes, sir. it's because of this man.

17:46Amen.

17:47>> And And And And my other part is my

17:48wife. That's That's my story. That's my

17:50glory.

17:51>> Yes, sir.

17:51>> She know how to deal with me when I get

17:52home with a with a with a headache, kids

17:55pulling on him, giving me the flu, and

17:56all that. But listen, Councilman, thank

17:58you. Thank you. Thank you for doing

17:59this. I appreciate you. God love you.

18:01>> There you go, man.

18:11>> Mr. Vice President, as they gather for

18:13pictures here,

18:15would I would I would ask that you

18:16please take a moment to recognize or

18:18introduce today's pages.

18:20>> All right. Thank you, Mr. Floor Leader.

18:22I would be honored to do that. We have

18:25Jojo Carlucci over here on the left.

18:28Woo!

18:30And we have Aiden Saez over here on the

18:32right. Go and stand up, you guys.

18:37So I've instructed Legislative Services

18:39to make sure you give them extra work.

18:41Make them stay late.

18:43Yes.

18:44We're just kidding. But thank you both

18:46for being here. We really appreciate it.

18:48And it looks like they're clearing out

18:50right now. Council member Johnson, did

18:51you want to speak? Okay, I'll give you 1

18:53minute.

18:54>> You I'll keep it brief. Uh shout out to

18:56I have to say very quickly, uh Bishop

18:58McKissick, you all I don't think you

19:00heard. I'm going to repeat what uh

19:03Council member Amaro said. Bishop

19:04McKissick is 99 years old as of

19:07yesterday. Bishop, happy birthday. Thank

19:10you for being the best of us. We love

19:13you. We love you, both of you. Like

19:15I'm an only child like you, Bishop

19:16Junior, but you know you got a whole lot

19:18of brothers and sisters cuz you got to

19:19share that with Anne mama Estelle

19:21looking out for us from in heaven. God

19:23bless you. Thank you. I rise quickly,

19:25Mr. Vice President colleagues to honor

19:27when you saw when you walked in this

19:28chamber there was a picture that was at

19:30the door. That is a picture of Dr.

19:32Gwendolyn J. Chandler. Dr. Chandler

19:35was a former member of this council, but

19:37for me it's someone who has the face of

19:39teaching civics in Jacksonville. Dr.

19:41Chandler was one of the most elegant

19:42women I knew and she helped me to get my

19:45own public foot footing in public life

19:47years ago when she would just say,

19:48"Baby, do right. Do right." And I was

19:52honored on yesterday. Thank you to the

19:55members of the Jacksonville Fire and

19:56Rescue Department as well as the

19:58Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Dr.

20:00Chandler was funeralized on yesterday at

20:01St. Patrick's Catholic Church, but even

20:04though she held many titles, the roles

20:06that she cherished most were that of

20:08mother and grandmother. And so for us to

20:10honor her, one of our former members, I

20:13would just ask you know Dr. Jacksonville

20:15is better because Dr. Dr. Gwendolyn

20:16lived here. She opened doors. She never

20:19talked about this, but what you may not

20:20know, council members, is that in 1965

20:23when this city was trying to come back

20:25from a segregated past, Dr. Gwendolyn

20:27was hired as the first black librarian

20:29in this city.

20:30And she was also the chair of the

20:32library department at FSCJ at the time.

20:35FCCJ rather at the time, but she was

20:37truly a part of making Jacksonville

20:39great. Would you pause just for a brief

20:41moment of silence to honor our former

20:42member, Dr. Gwendolyn J. Chandler.

20:53May we celebrate a life well lived. May

20:56her memory always be a blessing. Thank

20:58you, Mr. Vice President.

20:59>> All right. Thank you, Council member.

21:01Floor leader.

21:03>> Mr. Vice President, we are now ready for

21:05quasi traditional actions. I would like

21:07to remind all concerned that these items

21:09we're now taking up do not include

21:11public hearings as these matters were

21:13thoroughly re- reviewed at the committee

21:15level. And where public hearing was part

21:17of the decision-making process, council

21:19members are reminded to declare any ex

21:21parte communications.

21:23The first item is on page 4, 2026524.

21:26I move the amendment.

21:29>> All right.

21:30>> All right, we have a motion and a second

21:31on the amendment.

21:33Ms. Pittman, are you on the amendment or

21:34you ex

21:35>> parte.

21:37>> Okay, go ahead.

21:44>> I rise to

21:46um

21:47to uh commit to ex parte because I had

21:50several meetings with uh residents and

21:53the developer and the paperwork has been

21:56filed. Thank you.

21:57>> Okay. And Ms. Pittman, was that for 524?

22:05That's okay. We'll come We'll make sure

22:06we come back to you on the next one, but

22:07we do have a motion and a second on the

22:08amendment and no one in the queue. All

22:10in favor of the amendment signify by

22:11saying aye. Any opposed? The amendment

22:13carries.

22:14>> I move the bill to be re- re-referred as

22:16amended.

22:17>> All right, we have a motion and a second

22:19to re-refer the bill as amended. No one

22:21in the queue. Open the ballot, record

22:23your vote.

22:36>> 15 yes, zero nays.

22:38>> By your action, you have re-referred

22:402026524 as amended.

22:43>> We're now taking up item number two,

22:442026532. I think we have a number of us

22:46who have ex parte on this one, so

22:48>> All right, if you have ex parte, go

22:50ahead and get in the queue. Council

22:51member Miller, you're recognized.

22:57>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I rise to

22:59declare ex ex communications.

23:02Um

23:02I received multiple emails and letters

23:06in opposition and this has been filed

23:08with legislative services. Thank you.

23:12>> All right, the queue just cleared out so

23:13we're just going to go around the horn.

23:15Council member Palumbo say you're

23:16recognized.

23:16>> Thank you Mr. Vice President. I stand to

23:18declare ex parte against similar to

23:21Council member

23:22Miller. I had several emails

23:24against this project. They've been filed

23:26with legislative services.

23:27>> All right.

23:29We're back on the queue so we'll go

23:31we'll just continue to go through the

23:32queue. Council member Clark Murray

23:34you're recognized.

23:35>> Thank you Vice President. I rise to

23:38declare ex parte. I received 47 letters

23:41in regards to this particular bill all

23:43in opposition and the

23:46appropriate paperwork will be filed with

23:48legislative services. Thank you.

23:50>> Council member Murray you're recognized.

23:55>> Thank you Mr. Vice President. I rise to

23:57declare ex parte as well.

24:00I received a number of emails as well as

24:02letters and phone calls from

24:07the community in opposition to this

24:09particular bill and it has already been

24:12filed with legislative services.

24:15>> Thank you. Council member Pittman you're

24:16recognized.

24:20>> Again, I rise to declare ex parte. I

24:23received a number of emails and the

24:26information has been filed. Thank you.

24:29>> Council member Porter you're recognized.

24:32>> Thank you Council Vice President. I too

24:34received 47 letters, 119 emails and

24:38spoke with residents in opposition on

24:39this and the paperwork has been filed.

24:41>> Thank you. Council member Lane and

24:43you're recognized.

24:43>> Thank Council Council Vice President. I

24:45received 48 emails and 48 letters all

24:48opposing and that has been filed with

24:49legislative services.

24:51>> Council member Boylan you're recognized.

24:53>> Thank you Mr. Vice President. I too

24:54received 125 emails, 47 letters and one

24:58phone call in opposition. And that's

25:00already been filed.

25:01>> Council member McGee, you're recognized.

25:03>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I rise to

25:06declare ex parte communication on this.

25:09I've received several emails and 15

25:12letters in opposition, and it's been

25:14filed with the legislative services.

25:15Thank you.

25:16>> Council member Johnson, you're

25:17recognized.

25:19>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. On advice

25:21of counsel, I've been instructed I need

25:23to declare additional ex parte

25:25for 47 letters that were received after

25:28the ex parte that I I've already put on

25:29the record in LUZ. That additional is

25:31being filed with legislative services.

25:33Thank you.

25:34>> Council member Salem, you're recognized.

25:36>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I rise to

25:38report somewhere in the area of 110

25:40emails and letters on this, all in

25:43opposition. Thank you.

25:45>> All right, thank you. We have no other

25:46speakers in the queue.

25:49Looking for a motion on

25:50>> I move the amendment.

25:54>> All right, we have a motion second on

25:55the amendment. All in favor of the

25:56amendment, signify by saying aye.

25:58Any opposed? The amendment carries.

26:00>> Move the bill as amended.

26:02>> We have a motion second on the bill as

26:04amended. Council member Peluso, you're

26:05recognized.

26:06>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Yeah, I

26:07just want to know what the what the con-

26:09the new conditions are. I see the two

26:11individuals on the LUZ committee voted

26:13against it. I just I was told that uh we

26:15have removed the most controversial

26:17portions of this bill, and I just want

26:18to verify that's the case. If the chair

26:21maybe answer that question, or uh

26:23>> We'll go to Mr. Harvey to LUZ. Thank

26:24you.

26:25>> Yes, sir. Thank you.

26:26>> Yes, so the amendment was to remove all

26:28mentions of a concrete batch plant, but

26:31it also includes some additional

26:33um conditions that would preserve or or

26:36make sure that the developer were to

26:38ensure that the site remain safe of any

26:41additional particles that would possibly

26:43escape by ensuring additional safeguards

26:46uh to be placed on the property. So,

26:48those conditions were added along with

26:50the removal of the concrete batch plant.

26:54>> Council member White, you're recognized.

26:57>> Yes, sir. Statement or maybe a question,

26:59Mr. Mr. Harvey. What I understand the

27:01other night

27:02that they have the zoning and that they

27:04have they could do what they're going to

27:05do now.

27:07So, if we'd have failed it, they could

27:08have still did what they're going to do,

27:10but we put some conditions on it,

27:11correct? Is that correct?

27:13>> That is correct. So, if the bill were to

27:15fail tonight, the developer has the

27:18right to do everything that they're

27:20asking for in this PUD by right. What

27:23the conditions that you guys imposed

27:25were to basically help safeguard that

27:27community a little bit further, and then

27:29it also provides

27:32the actual PUD itself just some

27:34additional

27:36waivers or administrative deviations

27:38that they would have to come back to you

27:39in order to be compliant.

27:42>> Thank you.

27:43>> Councilwoman Clark-Murray, you're

27:44recognized.

27:47>> Thank you.

27:49Through the chair to Mr. Harvey, I know

27:50you just stated a few things and I think

27:52you just answered my question. I'm going

27:54to ask you to restate

27:56because I think what you're saying is

27:57that a

27:59an approval on this actually protects

28:01the community as opposed to an approval

28:05basically being against the will. Is the

28:08the ex parte that I received

28:10they are vehemently against this bill,

28:13but I'm and I apologize because normally

28:15I do make it to LUZ. I didn't make it to

28:17the last one.

28:18But, I just want clarity. I want it very

28:21clear, especially if there any members

28:22of that particular community in the

28:24audience to understand what an approval

28:26means and what a disapproval means.

28:28>> Sure. So, I'll read the five conditions

28:30that were approved by the LUZ committee.

28:33If passed tonight, these will be

28:35conditions that will be placed on the

28:37PUD and the developer would have to

28:39abide by. If you guys were to vote this

28:41down, the developer would be able to

28:43continue their own the development as

28:47entitled by rights without any of these

28:49safeguards. So, the first of the five

28:51conditions were water non-paved roads

28:53three times per day during operations,

28:56water the face of the pile area prior to

28:58the loading of material, have a tripod

29:01portable sprinklers available for windy

29:03days that would potentially create dust,

29:06and also available during piling and

29:08loading of the materials, install a

29:10sprinkler at the stacking conveyor

29:12discharge point where the material comes

29:15off the conveyor from the rail car to

29:17create uh the pile, and to contract with

29:20a sweeping company to sweep the interior

29:23ingress and egress points one time per

29:25week within the PUD site.

29:28>> Thank you so much for that. One last

29:29question to the chair. So, the concrete

29:32um

29:34batch

29:35portion of this This is the part That's

29:38the part that's been removed from the

29:39bill, correct?

29:40>> That has been removed from the bill and

29:41from the PUD in its entirety. So, a part

29:44of the amendment that you guys are

29:46passing is not only these six

29:48conditions. The The sixth condition is a

29:49traffic study to be conducted. And then

29:51you also have an amended site plan and

29:54an amended um

29:55written description which goes through

29:57and strikes all mentions of the concrete

29:59batch. They will basically be holding a

30:01storage space for the materials to be

30:03transferred offsite for someplace else

30:06to handle the concrete batch work.

30:08>> Thank you so much for that. Thank you,

30:09chair.

30:10>> All right. Thank you. Council Member

30:12Amaro, you're recognized.

30:16>> Thank you, Mr. Chair.

30:19Out on the corner, they would call this

30:21the okey-dokey.

30:24For the simple reason that uh the

30:26community has petitioned to

30:28vote against this, and

30:32it sounds like their effort was in vain

30:34because if I heard you correctly,

30:37you're saying that if this is voted

30:39down,

30:40they can still do what they want to do.

30:44>> That is not correct. What I'm saying is

30:46the concrete batch work is what they

30:49originally applied for, the developer

30:51originally applied for, and they need to

30:53have a PUD because within the current

30:55zoning that they have, they can't do

30:57that by right. It They would need that

31:00additional layer. But what this PUD

31:03amendment does is remove the whole

31:05mention of a concrete batch. So, the

31:06developer has come back and remove

31:08concrete batch altogether.

31:10>> But by right, they Through the chair, by

31:12right, they can

31:13can do the storage and etc. etc.

31:17>> Correct. Without the need of your

31:18approval of this

31:20>> Just without the concrete plant piece.

31:22>> Well, that was regardless without it

31:25with forever. What this what they are

31:27allowed to do or entitled to do by right

31:29is to store materials on their site

31:31because they're currently zoned for

31:32that. That's

31:33>> Okay. Thank you.

31:34>> Council member Arias, you're recognized.

31:36>> Okay dokey.

31:37>> All right. Thank you, Mr. Vice

31:38President. Uh Mr. Harvey, I I mentioned

31:40uh I heard you mention five conditions,

31:42but then you mentioned six. I have

31:44written on my conditions here number

31:45six, no rock crushing on site. Is that

31:48uh number six condition or is that not

31:51going to be valid anymore?

31:53>> So, the amendment that was passed at LUZ

31:56included six conditions, which included

31:58a traffic study and then the five

32:00conditions that I that I read. The

32:03removal of the concrete batch is what is

32:06what was removed throughout the entire

32:07document. So, that is a part of the

32:09amendment, but it's not a condition.

32:11>> Got it. Okay. So, no rock crushing on

32:13site is part

32:14>> That is correct. That is correct. That

32:16is the concrete batch terminology that

32:18has been removed from the written

32:19description.

32:20>> Thank you, sir. And just to state my the

32:22reason why I voted yes on this is

32:23because um as Mr. Amaro said, you know,

32:25this is one of those bills where it's a

32:27lesser of two evils. And in this case,

32:29um we removed the rock crushing, we

32:31removed the concrete batch part, but we

32:32also protected the community. I know the

32:34community didn't want this, but at the

32:36end of the day, they got some

32:36protection. so that's why I was able to

32:38support it. Otherwise, I would have

32:39voted it down, um and that's why I stand

32:41by my vote. Thank you.

32:42>> All right. And last speaker in the

32:44queue, Councilmember Johnson, you're

32:45recognized.

32:47>> Thank you, Mr. Chair, uh Mr. Vice

32:49President. Uh and I wanted to make sure,

32:51correct me uh through the Vice President

32:53to Mr. Harvey, we also, just as a part

32:56of that which you gave, the community

32:57came back with those with the

33:00community and the developer together

33:01worked to create those conditions, yes?

33:03With the watering of the

33:05>> That is

33:06>> explain that, please?

33:06>> That is correct. There was a separate

33:08community meeting that was held by the

33:09council uh woman of the district uh with

33:12the developer and the concerns of

33:15particles um escaping the site came up,

33:18and the developer agreed to go back and

33:21find some ways to mitigate that, and

33:22that's how these five conditions came to

33:24be.

33:24>> Got you.

33:25>> I just wanted to make sure that we

33:26understood, and I think we discussed it

33:28uh at nauseam in LUZ, this is not a bait

33:30and switch. The community came, their

33:32needs were heard, the developer met with

33:34them, we talked to them, and they came

33:36and put these conditions down. So, it's

33:38not certainly a bait and switch, it's we

33:40heard the community, and the community

33:41were able to get their needs met through

33:42this, which is why uh many of them

33:46aren't here tonight. At least they were

33:47able to get this mitigation. So, thanks

33:48for letting me put that on the record,

33:49Mr. Vice President.

33:50>> All right, thank you. We have no one

33:52else in the queue. We have passed the

33:53amendment, we have a motion and a second

33:55on the bill. So, let's open the ballot.

33:57Record your vote.

34:09>> How many yes?

34:17>> 14 yes, one nay.

34:20>> By your action, you've approved

34:212026-532.

34:23>> Turning to page five, item number three,

34:252026-557,

34:26move the amendment.

34:28>> All right. We have a motion and a second

34:30on the amendment. There is no one in the

34:31queue. All in favor of the amendment

34:32signify by saying I.

34:34>> Any opposed? The amendment carries.

34:36>> Move the bill as amended.

34:38>> We have a motion and a second on the

34:39bill as amended. No one in the queue.

34:41Open the ballot record your vote.

34:51>> 15 yes, zero nays.

34:52>> By your action you've approved 2026 557.

34:55>> Item number four, 2026 658. Move the

34:58bill.

34:59>> We have a motion and a second on the

35:00bill.

35:02No one in the queue. Open the ballot

35:03record your vote.

35:13>> 15 yes, zero nays.

35:15>> By your action you've approved 2026 658.

35:18>> Item number five, 2026 659. Move the

35:20amendment.

35:21>> We have a motion and a second on the

35:23amendment. All in favor of the amendment

35:24signify by saying I.

35:26Any opposed? The amendment carries.

35:27>> Move the bill as amended.

35:29>> All right, we have a motion and a second

35:30on the bill as amended. No speakers in

35:32the queue. Open the ballot record your

35:34vote.

35:43>> 14 yes, one nay.

35:45>> By your action you've approved 2026 659.

35:50>> Turn the page. Six, item number six,

35:522026 697. I move the bill.

35:55>> We have a motion and a second on the

35:56bill.

35:57No discussion. Open the ballot record

35:59your vote.

36:07>> 15 yes, zero nays.

36:10>> By your action you've approved 2026 697.

36:14>> Moving on now, Mr. Vice President, we're

36:16ready for the consent agenda. I want to

36:17remind my colleagues that if you want to

36:19be added as a co-sponsor to any of these

36:21items, please let the chief of

36:22legislative services know by emails.

36:25Council rules prohibit pulling items

36:27from for that reason. Mr. Teel, would

36:30you please read the bills?

36:32>> 2026-704

36:35705, 730, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730,

36:43731, 732, 766, 767, and 769.

36:50>> Mr. Vice President, we've got a consent

36:52agenda with two items pulled, item

36:53number 7 704 and item number 20.

36:57769, I move the consent agenda list

36:59those two items.

37:01>> All right, we have a motion and a second

37:02on the consent agenda. No one in the

37:03queue.

37:04Open the ballot record your vote.

37:13>> 15 yes, zero nays.

37:15>> By your action, you have approved the

37:16consent agenda.

37:18>> Turning back now to page seven, item

37:19number 7 2026-704.

37:21Move the bill.

37:23>> We have a motion second on the bill.

37:25Councilmember McGee, you're recognized.

37:28>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

37:30I just like to congratulate Ronnie

37:33Burris and Local 630 for all their hard

37:36work to get to this position for for all

37:39the workers there. And this has been a

37:41long time coming and

37:43I just congratulate them and for

37:46finally achieving this. Thank you.

37:48>> All right, thank you, sir. We have no

37:50one else in the queue. Open the ballot

37:52record your votes.

38:10>> 15 yes, zero nays.

38:12>> By your action, you have approved

38:132026-704.

38:15>> Now, item page 10 item number 20

38:172026-769.

38:19I move the bill.

38:20>> We have a motion and a second on the

38:22bill. Council member Gay, you're

38:23recognized.

38:25>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Uh I move

38:27to post- postpone this bill till uh

38:3010:27 Council meeting if I can get a

38:33second.

38:34>> Second.

38:34>> All right, we have a motion

38:37and a second on 2026 769 for

38:39postponement.

38:41No one in the queue. This is a ballot

38:43vote. All right, open the ballot. Record

38:45your votes.

38:52There's no one in the queue.

38:59Would you like to give a reason on the

39:00postponement? We have some chatter that

39:02would like clarification.

39:04>> Uh there there are some time time and

39:06issues with uh uh

39:08some Boy Scouts that I that I I want to

39:11have attend and some uh alignment with

39:15some prior uh historical events that's

39:19taken place that I want to align it up

39:21with it the next Council meeting.

39:23Thank you.

39:26>> We all know Council member Gay is a man

39:27of few words, so

39:29we

39:30we appreciate that, but

39:32>> helpful, friendly, courteous, kind guy.

39:34>> There we go. By your action, you've

39:36approved 2020, well, by your action, you

39:38have postponed 2026 769.

39:42>> Would be appropriate this time, Mr. Vice

39:43President, to recognize the Rules Chair.

39:46>> All right, Council member Gay, you're

39:47recognized.

39:54>> Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Vice

39:56President. I get to use up all the words

39:58tonight.

40:00>> You're getting close to your quota.

40:01>> So, we have just uh approved the

40:03following appointees part of the uh

40:05consent agenda. If you are in the

40:07audience, please stand to be recognized.

40:09Uh Leroy C. Kelly to the True

40:11Commission.

40:14Donnette Hernandez to the Elder Affairs,

40:18Micah Heavener

40:19to the Downtown Investment Authority

40:21Board,

40:22Jill Caffey to the Downtown Investment

40:25Authority.

40:27Liz McDonald to the Cultural Council of

40:30Greater Jax,

40:32Christopher

40:34Distefano to the Opioid Substance and

40:38Use Disorder Grants Committee,

40:40Alex Sivar to the Jacksonville Housing

40:43Authority, Shawn Tucker to the Public

40:47Service Grant Council. So, please join

40:49me in thanking him for the service to

40:51the city.

40:58>> Up next is an economic development

41:00investment item found on page 11,

41:022026-757.

41:05Before moving the amendment, however,

41:06there's an opportunity for public

41:07comment. However, we have no public

41:09comment cards, so I move the amendment.

41:12>> All right, we have a motion and a second

41:14on the amendment. No one in the queue,

41:16all in favor of the amendment signify by

41:17saying aye.

41:19Any opposed? The amendment carries.

41:21>> Move the bill as amended.

41:23>> All right, we have a motion and a second

41:24on the bill as amended.

41:26No one in the queue, open the ballot,

41:28record your vote.

41:40>> 14 yes, one nay.

41:43>> By your action you have approved

41:442026-757.

41:46>> Mr. Pres- or Mr. Vice President, as per

41:48ordinance 2027-2022-475,

41:51we are now ready for public comments.

41:53Council members are reminded this is our

41:55time to hear from the public.

41:57That is not a time for questions and

41:58answers or debate. However, a member of

42:01the public may be invited to the Bob

42:03Johnson Room for further discussions

42:05pending the approval of the Council Vice

42:07President.

42:09Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to

42:10speak you should have filled out a

42:12yellow public comment card.

42:14No cards will be accepted after 6:00

42:16p.m. Council rules call for an allotment

42:18of 90 minutes for public comment.

42:21The usual lot of time for maybe 3

42:23minutes

42:24is going to be shortened this evening

42:25because of on the number of cards that

42:26we presently have.

42:28Each speaker will be allowed 2 minutes

42:30and 30 seconds to speak at this point.

42:33During our public comment, only the

42:34speaker will be allowed to the podium

42:35unless physical assistance is required.

42:38We provide the opportunity for public

42:39comment beyond what the state law

42:41requires. As such, you must state your

42:43name, your address

42:45before beginning your comments or just

42:47say, "My address is on file." Meaning it

42:50is written on the speaker card.

42:53I will announce five speakers at a time

42:54in order for them in order for them to

42:56appear in the order that they are to

42:58appear. When I call your name, I ask you

43:00to move down to these several seats in

43:01the front here.

43:03And and then directly to the podium when

43:05I invite you to do so.

43:07Your time will start when you arrive at

43:08the podium. We ask that you place all

43:10bags, boxes, or purses on the table to

43:13your right prior to approaching the

43:15podium.

43:16Thank you for being here this evening.

43:17Our first five speakers are Tony

43:20Langels,

43:21Elijah Aquafrida,

43:24Cornell Oliver,

43:26Suzanne Sapp, and Randall Glynn, I

43:29believe it is.

43:31Mr. Teel, please note the start time as

43:346

43:35as 5:44.

43:37Again, our first speaker is Mr. Langels.

43:42And please read the rule before we uh

43:43go.

43:44Thanks.

43:45>> Council rule 4.505, disruption of

43:48meeting.

43:49Any person who disrupts a regular

43:50meeting of the city council, standing

43:52committees, special or select

43:54committees, subcommittees, or any other

43:56public meeting presided over by a city

43:57council member may be forthwith barred,

44:00removed, or otherwise ejected in the in

44:02the discretion of the presiding officer

44:04from further attendance at that meeting.

44:07If necessary due to the nature of the

44:09disruption, the audience may be cleared

44:11from the council chambers or meeting

44:12location in the discretion of the

44:14presiding officer.

44:15Any person who refuses to leave the city

44:17council chamber may be subject to

44:19arrest.

44:21>> Again, our first speaker is Mr.

44:22Langlois. Uh again, be sure to give us

44:25your name, address, or mention your

44:26address is on file. Go ahead, sir.

44:29>> Good evening, city council. Uh my name's

44:31Tony Langlois. Address is on file.

44:34And I see we're green on the microphone.

44:35We're green across the board, so we're

44:37good for launch.

44:38Um I attended a national POW/MIA

44:41Recognition Day, September 19th, at

44:43Cecil Field, and was very disappointed

44:46in the city's represent- representation

44:48at this event.

44:49I never even heard that this event

44:51publicized or marketed or

44:53uh advertised, as a matter of fact. My

44:56neighbor, Mark Andrews, who actually

44:59barbecues luncheon at this event, he

45:01informed me about it. Otherwise, I

45:03wouldn't even known about it.

45:05Harrison Conyers, the director of

45:06military affairs for the city, was one

45:08of the guest speakers.

45:09But I not I did not see anyone else

45:11representing the city.

45:13I look at the placard uh memorials and

45:16read about all our young aviators who

45:17were missing in action and died in

45:19captivity in the Vietnam War.

45:22And Gold Star families have to live with

45:24the loss of these deceased military

45:26members, and the least we as a city

45:29can do is support this uh POW/MIA

45:33organization.

45:35I understand priorities,

45:37but there are 19 city council members up

45:39here. Can't one member of this group

45:41attend the event to support the

45:42Jacksonville's Gold Star families?

45:45I didn't even see the press or TV

45:47stations at this event, because they

45:49maybe they didn't even know about it,

45:50either.

45:51Granted, in the past, there's other city

45:53council members there.

45:55Um as a matter of fact, last year uh

45:57President Holland, uh he was there, as a

45:59matter of fact. I I remember him.

46:02But, you know, why wasn't these events

46:04publicized or advertised?

46:07Who's responsibility is it to promote

46:09this event?

46:10It was sparsely attended this year

46:13compared to other years.

46:15Rolling Thunder motorcycle riders made

46:17up the majority of attendees this year.

46:21Let's improve the our representation

46:23promotion of this event for next year.

46:26Thank you.

46:27>> Thank you, sir. Next we have Elijah

46:29Aquafreda.

46:31I hope I pronounced that correctly.

46:35>> Uh good evening. My name is Elijah

46:37Aquafreda. I'm the founder of Duval

46:39Local Harvest and the general manager of

46:41the restaurant in Riverside.

46:43>> And your address?

46:44>> Uh my address is on file.

46:45>> Thank you.

46:47>> I'm here to support the ordinance

46:49formerly known as the food to garden

46:50act, now pathways to urban ag number

46:5320260

46:56807.

46:58And to encourage critical amendments so

47:00that neighborhood-friendly community and

47:01market gardens are truly permissible by

47:04right in Jacksonville.

47:07I come at this from both sides of the

47:09plate. Duval Local Harvest connects

47:11local growers and restaurants

47:13and recovers food that will otherwise go

47:16to waste.

47:17Every week I see the same thing,

47:18restaurants that want to buy local,

47:21neighbors who want to who want fresh

47:22food,

47:24and small growers ready to supply it,

47:26but held back by rules that make a

47:28backyard or vacant lot garden a legal

47:31gambit.

47:33Our farmers markets need more vendors.

47:36Our community gardens have wait lists.

47:38Food prices keep climbing and supply

47:40chains stay fragile.

47:43Market gardeners are some of the best

47:44insurance this city has, and right now

47:47we're making them fight for permission

47:49to grow groceries.

47:52This bill is a strong start. To keep it

47:54true to its intent, please adopt

47:56amendments that allow cross sales

47:57between growers,

47:59permit public market days, and clearly

48:02define how educational and community

48:04activities are regulated.

48:07We haven't come this far to leave our

48:09current and future urban gardeners

48:11tangled in legal limbo.

48:13Thank you.

48:16>> Next, we have Carnell Oliver.

48:21>> Uh, yes. My name is Carnell Oliver.

48:23Address is on file.

48:25Um, I want to ask a question. Um, when

48:27is our community going to actually come

48:28to grips with the structural sense of

48:31racism

48:33that goes back to the very beginning of

48:34this country?

48:36When are we going to actually recognize

48:37that we have to enforce the 1866 Civil

48:40Rights Act?

48:41As I go from one commission to another

48:45commission,

48:46and when I go back and I research, this

48:48city has been ignoring laws that are on

48:50the books.

48:51The 1964 Civil Rights Act was supposed

48:54to be in the gateway bill to immigrants

48:56to come into this country,

48:58but we've been overlooked since then.

49:01It's not me personally taking a taking a

49:03taking a tack against somebody,

49:05but sometimes, like that pastor just

49:07said, sometimes you have to stand alone,

49:08and you have to tell the truth.

49:10We got walked over since the 1960s.

49:14This city,

49:16this state, has an obligation to make

49:19amends.

49:20My comments is this. I want y'all to

49:22work

49:24diligently

49:25with the mayor's office. The mayor has

49:27been dragging her feet.

49:29She can do so much more.

49:32She has Tracy Paulson,

49:36who has access to our federal

49:37delegation. I know she can get a

49:39compliance legislation for the 1866

49:43Civil Rights Act, but she's playing

49:44politics.

49:45Quit trying to kiss people's butts. Do

49:47your job.

49:49That's the only thing I expect of you,

49:50and I expect the council to do the same

49:52thing.

49:55You can't keep You can't keep taking the

49:57pledge of allegiance when you're

49:59forgetting us.

50:01We're the ones that paved the way.

50:03I regret some of the actions that Dr.

50:05King did because he didn't secure our

50:07economic freedom first.

50:10But he played his hand wrong and the

50:12immigrant class came over. They took

50:14advantage of this country and now they

50:16ran this country into the ground and now

50:19they're getting ate up by their own

50:20people.

50:22This is the harsh truth.

50:24If you can't accept it, now when are you

50:26going to accept it? When are you going

50:27to show some respect to the people who

50:29actually allowed you to come in here?

50:32Because without the National Immigration

50:34Act, you wouldn't be here, especially

50:35groups of color.

50:37Learn your history. I know mine. We got

50:40walked over.

50:41And I yield my time with that.

50:43>> Thank you, sir. Next we have Suzanne

50:45Sapp.

50:51>> Good evening, Council Vice President and

50:53members of the City Council. My name is

50:55Suzanne Sapp and my address is on

50:57record. I'm here representing Sierra

50:59Club's national Beyond Coal Campaign and

51:01the Duval Affordable Clean Energy

51:03Coalition. Our coalition brings together

51:05people from across Jacksonville who

51:07believe that energy should be

51:09affordable, decisions should be

51:11transparent, and residents should have a

51:13meaningful voice in the future of their

51:15public utility.

51:17We bring together faith communities,

51:19neighborhood and community

51:20organizations, environmental advocates,

51:22consumer advocates, labor, public health

51:25advocates, small business owners,

51:27parents, seniors, and everyday JEA

51:30ratepayers.

51:31We come from different backgrounds and

51:33perspectives, but we share a common

51:35concern.

51:37The decisions the JEA and this council

51:41makes today will affect our families,

51:43our communities, our pocketbooks for

51:46decades to come.

51:48This is our first time coming before

51:50City Council to speak about these issues

51:52and we are here because Jacksonville's

51:54energy future deserves greater public

51:56attention, transparency, and community

51:59involvement.

52:00First, affordability must be a priority.

52:04Families are struggling with rising

52:05cost. Jacksonville residents deserve to

52:08understand how JEA's major energy

52:10investments could afford could affect

52:13their monthly bills.

52:15Not today, but for decades to come.

52:18Before committing to expensive new

52:20infrastructure, we need clear public

52:22comparison of the cost, risks, and

52:24benefits of all available energy

52:27options. Second, the public deserves

52:30transparency.

52:32Residents should not have to be energy

52:34experts to understand decisions that

52:37affect their household budget. The cost

52:39assumptions, alternatives, and long-term

52:41financial risks behind major energy

52:43decisions should be publicly available

52:46and explained in language people can

52:48understand.

52:50Third, Jacksonville needs a JEA

52:53Community Advisory Council. We are

52:56calling for an establishment of a JEA

52:58Community Advisory Council that creates

53:00a consistent, meaningful way for

53:02residents to participate in decisions

53:04about their utility and energy future.

53:08The Council should include a broad

53:09cross-section of Jacksonville residents.

53:11It should provide a regular forum for

53:13residents to review JEA's plans, ask

53:16questions, and raise concerns. That

53:18doesn't currently exist. Fourth,

53:22Jacksonville needs to seriously evaluate

53:25cleaner, affordable energy. Thank you.

53:30>> In the meantime, I'm going to invite the

53:31following to come down to the front,

53:32please. Johnny Leonard Turner,

53:35Denise Scott,

53:37Natalie Lekich,

53:40Nicole Sparks, and Nathan Ballentine. If

53:43you could come on down to the front,

53:44please. Go ahead, sir.

53:50Name and address.

53:52>> Yes, sir.

53:53My name is Randall Gilliam. Uh my

53:56address is 8515 Lennox Avenue,

53:59Jacksonville, Florida.

54:01Um

54:02Uh I'm

54:05in the zone of uh Mr. Randy White

54:09and

54:11I bring a safety concern here tonight.

54:14Um and I'll I want it to be addressed.

54:17Um I'm holding these two pictures here.

54:21Uh beware

54:23of

54:24dogs, loose dogs.

54:26As you could see that they killed

54:29It's not my cat, but I feed this cat

54:32every day.

54:33Not anymore.

54:36These dogs are stray.

54:39They destroyed my property, my gate. I'm

54:41still having it assessed at this point.

54:44My my problem is JSO came out

54:50and I know they they do a tremendous

54:52great job.

54:54But, you know, he came out and he said

54:58he barely looked at my video.

55:01And what I'm trying to get to is

55:03I believe that this was malicious.

55:06Provided it's malicious,

55:09I can maybe get some relief through my

55:11homeowner's insurance.

55:13But if he just say it's property damage,

55:16they already got me wrote out because

55:17they animal no animals we cannot going

55:19to cover.

55:21But if you see it for what it is, it's

55:24malicious.

55:26These dogs are trained.

55:29They look like cartel drug dogs, okay?

55:32Uh they look like they they they hunt.

55:34The the video I have, they they were not

55:38barking.

55:39They're not strays.

55:43They came to kill.

55:45And people train dogs

55:49and they don't always train them to do

55:50the right thing.

55:52Okay? And that's a fact.

55:54And the JSO officer

55:58he act like he was not aware of that,

55:59Mr. White.

56:03Okay? He he And And And so so so that's

56:06what So let's That's my concern. I'm

56:08bringing that here

56:10uh and I understand I got a

56:13short a lot of the time, but that's my

56:15main concern. I can't get relief. These

56:17people have destroyed my Love thy

56:19neighbor as you love yourself.

56:21>> Mr. Glenn. Mr. Glenn.

56:23>> Mr. Glenn.

56:26>> Uh yeah, I can't remember why I would

56:27like to see you in the green room, so

56:30Okay. Yeah, and if there's anyone here

56:31from animal control or someone that's

56:33over that department to meet Council

56:35member White in the green room as well,

56:37that would be much appreciated.

56:38>> Next we have Johnny Leonard Turner.

56:43Name and address, please.

56:46>> Good evening. My name is Johnny Turner.

56:47My My address is on record.

56:50Some of y'all I already know up there

56:52and some new faces I'm seeing now.

56:55We fighting up against about the George

56:57Grady Bridge. Some of y'all might know

56:58that you know what I'm talking about.

56:59But it's our history drive. I've been

57:02fishing there since I was a little boy

57:03and we've trying to keep in the keep the

57:05bridge open. They trying to close the

57:06bridge down. They have closed down one

57:07half of the bridge and it probably be a

57:09whole bridge. So I'm just letting y'all

57:11know who don't know.

57:12We fighting for this bridge. I've been

57:14there since I was a little boy. I don't

57:15have I had a heart attack the end of

57:17last last last month and I'm fighting to

57:19have the bridge. I don't want to be down

57:21there and die before the bridge gets

57:22fixed. I want y'all to do something for

57:23it now cuz I ain't the only one trying

57:25to fight for this bridge. They just They

57:27just They just ain't got no way to get

57:28here. You know what I'm saying? But we

57:30want the bridge open. If you ever go

57:32down there and see it should be so many

57:33people down there, it's a shame, but it

57:35ain't enough room cuz they ain't got the

57:37whole bridge open. It It supposed to be

57:39a historic bridge. They supposed to be a

57:41a mile long bridge, but it ain't a mile

57:43long bridge.

57:45You saying something that it ain't. You

57:47understand what I'm saying? You telling

57:49the people one thing, but when they get

57:50here, it ain't that. You got it showing

57:52up on the map that's like that, but it

57:54ain't that.

57:55We got You got to pay them money to go

57:57in there, and then we ask about where

57:59the money at. nobody Ain't nobody know

58:01where the money at. Inquiring minds want

58:03to know where the money at. We ain't

58:04hearing nothing about that.

58:05So, just just take it and help us out

58:07and make open the bridge up like it

58:08supposed to be. See, y'all like you say,

58:10y'all children of God, so act like

58:12children of God and open that bridge

58:13back up for us. Thank you.

58:17>> Thank you, sir. Next we have Denise

58:19Scott.

58:26>> Good evening. My name is Denise Scott,

58:27and my address is on file.

58:30I'm praying for all those that were in

58:31the path of Hurricane Isaias and the

58:34destruction that it left behind.

58:36Thankful that Jacksonville was spared

58:38once again from a hurricane's path. With

58:40all the rain that we received last week,

58:42our streets reminded us that we are not

58:44prepared to handle a category one storm,

58:47let alone a category two with 105-mph

58:50winds. Instead of this city always

58:53catering to developers, let's try to

58:55spend some money on infrastructure to

58:57improve our roadways and drainage

58:59systems. Thankfully, we haven't had any

59:01rain in a couple days, but there's so

59:03much standing water still on the roads

59:05and ditches. Who's responsible for

59:07cleaning those ditches?

59:09Speaking of drainage, I spoke with a

59:11very nice young lady, Ashley, in the

59:13Environmental Quality Division. She's a

59:15very knowledgeable young lady.

59:18Um my concern when I spoke to her was

59:20that we have too many homeowners and

59:22lawn care companies that blow their

59:24leaves and grass clippings in the

59:26streets. Y'all call it illicit

59:29discharges.

59:30Jacksonville Environmental Protection

59:32Board's Rule 3 says that you're supposed

59:34to be protecting our stormwater system.

59:37Who's going to let the homeowners and

59:38the lawn companies know that they're not

59:41following the rules? This is one of my

59:43biggest pet peeves. So much so that when

59:46I saw one a young man blowing the leaves

59:48and debris and you know on University

59:49Boulevard, I pulled over and asked to

59:51speak to his lead person. And you know

59:53what that guy told me? "Where are we

59:55supposed to blow it?"

59:57I suggest that this council give Ashley

59:59and her department a huge budget so they

1:00:01can put some public service public

1:00:03service announcement out to let the

1:00:05people know that they're in violation.

1:00:07People can't do better if they don't

1:00:09know better.

1:00:10Also, I see that JTA got us in a $38

1:00:13million shortfall for their budget. The

1:00:16people didn't create this crisis and we

1:00:18shouldn't have to pay for it. But I

1:00:20heard that they were trying to implement

1:00:22tolls to be considered. That should not

1:00:24ever be considered considering past

1:00:26leadership fought too hard to remove the

1:00:28tolls. Jacksonville has many of our

1:00:31constituents that depend depend on trans

1:00:34public transportation and we should not

1:00:36let them be hindered.

1:00:39>> Thank you, ma'am. Next we have Natalie

1:00:41Lekich.

1:00:43I hope I pronounced that correctly.

1:00:48>> Good evening. My name is Natalie Lekich

1:00:50and I'm with Springfield Farmers Market,

1:00:52Jax River and Soul, and Sunna Natural

1:00:55Food Market.

1:00:56>> And your address?

1:00:57>> is on file.

1:00:57>> Thank you, ma'am.

1:00:58>> I'm here to support the ordinance

1:00:59formerly known as the Freedom Garden

1:01:01Act, now Pathways to Urban Ag number

1:01:032026-0807,

1:01:07and encourage critical amendments to

1:01:09ensure neighborhood-friendly community

1:01:11and market gardens are truly permissible

1:01:12by right in Jacksonville.

1:01:14I urge City Council to embrace a few

1:01:16critical amendments to ensure the

1:01:17ordinance achieves the intended purpose.

1:01:20Our market and community gardens should

1:01:22be able to grow boldly and legally.

1:01:25As both a farmers market manager and a

1:01:27vendor, I've seen firsthand how

1:01:28difficult it can be to connect our

1:01:30community with fresh, locally grown

1:01:32food. As a market manager, I've

1:01:35struggled to find produce vendors to

1:01:36meet the needs of the community. And as

1:01:38a vendor, I've seen how important local

1:01:40markets are in creating access to fresh

1:01:42food and building community connections.

1:01:44We have people looking for fresh food,

1:01:47but we need more local growers who can

1:01:49help meet that demand. When barriers

1:01:51make it difficult to grow and sell

1:01:53produce locally, our entire community

1:01:55misses out. We kindly request you review

1:01:57ordinance 2026-0807

1:02:01along with the proposed amendments we

1:02:03will submit to the public record for

1:02:05your review. Thank you.

1:02:06>> Thank you. Next we have Nicole Sparks.

1:02:13>> Good evening, Council.

1:02:14Good evening, Council members. My name

1:02:16is Nicole Sparks. My address is on file.

1:02:19I am here tonight in strong support of

1:02:21the ordinance 2026-0807

1:02:24Pathways to Agriculture Act.

1:02:26For the last 10 years, I've run the

1:02:27Arlington Community Garden working

1:02:29alongside Jacksonville University

1:02:30students, homeschoolers, and volunteers.

1:02:33I know firsthand that community farming

1:02:35is a powerful space for healing,

1:02:36purpose, and deep community bonds.

1:02:39Right now, our society builds

1:02:40communities around hospitals. We wait

1:02:43for people to get sick from the dead,

1:02:44chemical-laden food on grocery store

1:02:46shelves, food poisoned with glyphosate

1:02:49and atrazine that loses its vitality

1:02:51within 3 days of being picked.

1:02:53We cannot thrive on dead food. We must

1:02:56build our communities around farms, not

1:02:58hospitals, and thrive to eat living

1:03:01food.

1:03:02Our school system start starting to see

1:03:04this. Duval County partnered with eight

1:03:06organic non-GMO farms across Florida for

1:03:09a farm-to-table lunch program. But

1:03:11here's the crisis. Only two of those

1:03:13farms are local. And those provide

1:03:16lettuce, cucumbers, and herbs.

1:03:18We are outsourcing our children's health

1:03:20because we aren't growing enough here at

1:03:22home.

1:03:23Meanwhile, Jacksonville is abundant in

1:03:25vacant land and neighbors searching for

1:03:27connection.

1:03:28Ordinance 2026-0807

1:03:31is the bridge we need. By removing the

1:03:32$5,000 rezoning barriers and letting

1:03:34agricultural spaces exist by right, we

1:03:37can turn eyesore vacant lots into

1:03:39centers of holistic health. These farms

1:03:41provide jobs through agricultural labor,

1:03:44giving our homeless neighbors a path to

1:03:45dignity, self-sufficiency, and

1:03:47nutrition. They give our distressed

1:03:49youth who feel lost and unsure of their

1:03:51futures a tangible place to feel

1:03:52productive and valued. And they offer

1:03:55our elderly community a vital space to

1:03:57share their wisdom, find companionship,

1:03:59and combat isolation.

1:04:01This single ordinance can address mental

1:04:03health, homelessness, youth mentorship,

1:04:05senior care, and local employment. Let's

1:04:07stop investing in treating sickness and

1:04:09start growing generational wellness. I

1:04:11also ask that you approve the amendments

1:04:12that are

1:04:14being presented with this bill as well.

1:04:16Thank you very much.

1:04:17>> Thank you, ma'am. Next, we have Nathan

1:04:19Valentine. In the meantime, I'm going to

1:04:21invite to come down to the front,

1:04:22please, Amber Suddeth,

1:04:25Mikey Howell, Nancy Murray Suttle,

1:04:28Chloe and Lashandra Sawyer. Please

1:04:31come on down to the front. Go ahead,

1:04:33sir.

1:04:35>> Good evening.

1:04:37My name is Nathan Valentine. Our farm

1:04:40grows at 125 East 7th Street.

1:04:43I'm here tonight to support bill

1:04:452026-0807,

1:04:47Pathways for Urban Ag, formerly the

1:04:49formerly the Free to Garden Act. First,

1:04:51I want to thank Councilman Arias and

1:04:53Polluso

1:04:55for introducing this legislation,

1:04:57Councilwoman

1:04:58Pittman for years of support, and

1:05:00Councilman White for calling this common

1:05:02sense legislation.

1:05:04I also want to thank the mayor's office

1:05:05and planning department for the summer

1:05:07rewrite. We're getting really close to

1:05:09making market and community gardens

1:05:11permissible by right here in

1:05:12Jacksonville.

1:05:14However, to make this ordinance truly

1:05:16work as intended, we need a few critical

1:05:17amendments.

1:05:19As currently written, any gathering on a

1:05:21market garden over five people is

1:05:23defined as a market day

1:05:25and capped at 12 per year, anchored to

1:05:27the city's garage sale limit. This rule

1:05:30penalizes the very neighbors it seeks to

1:05:31protect, as I'll explain.

1:05:33Furthermore, strict cross-sales rules

1:05:35forbid selling produce or products from

1:05:37other Duval farms, preventing growers

1:05:39from supporting one another.

1:05:42To put that in perspective, let's use

1:05:43Overalls Farm as an example.

1:05:46Our monthly Greens & Means community

1:05:48meal uses up all 12 allotted days. When

1:05:51teenagers from the Sanctuary on 8th

1:05:53Street walk over to learn and farm with

1:05:55us on Fridays, we would be out of

1:05:57compliance.

1:05:58When a neighborhood church meets on our

1:06:00farm during good weather, that would

1:06:02also be non-compliant. So would garden

1:06:05club tours or any workshops we might

1:06:07host or teach. In addition, selling

1:06:10honey from a neighbor down the street at

1:06:12any of our community events is currently

1:06:15forbidden.

1:06:16To address this constructively, we're

1:06:17submitting proposed amendments for the

1:06:19public record tonight that ask you to

1:06:21one, rename public sales days to more

1:06:25accurately community access days and

1:06:27increase the annual limit from 12 to 70

1:06:29days for markets any and all markets,

1:06:31workshops, and events while preserving

1:06:34exemptions for routine operations and

1:06:35rolling sales. And two, permit market

1:06:38gardens to sell agricultural and

1:06:40value-added food products from other

1:06:42Duval County growers.

1:06:44Let's pass an ordinance that empowers

1:06:46our urban gardeners to feed and foster

1:06:48community. Thank you so much for your

1:06:50service.

1:06:51>> Thank you. Next we have Amber Suter.

1:06:59>> Good afternoon. My name is Amber Suter

1:07:01and my address is on file. I am from the

1:07:03Springfield neighborhood. I am here to

1:07:05support the ordinance formerly known as

1:07:07the Free to Garden Act, now Pathways to

1:07:09Urban Ag, number 2026-0807,

1:07:13encourage and encourage critical

1:07:15amendments to ensure

1:07:16neighborhood-friendly community and

1:07:17market gardens are truly permissible by

1:07:20right in Jacksonville.

1:07:21We haven't come this far to leave our

1:07:23current and future urban gardeners

1:07:24tangled in legal limbo.

1:07:26I support this act because this is about

1:07:28building fresh building healthier,

1:07:30stronger communities. Access to fresh

1:07:32food and healthy spaces shouldn't be

1:07:34determined by someone's neighborhood or

1:07:36circumstances. Community gardens give

1:07:38neighbors access to fresh food, create

1:07:40opportunities to get outside and be

1:07:41active, and provide spaces where people

1:07:44can connect and strengthen the

1:07:45communities we call home. This is a

1:07:47neighborhood-friendly, common-sense

1:07:48legislation that builds upon

1:07:51regional, state, and local policy.

1:07:53Please consider the amendments for

1:07:56number 2026-0807. Thank you.

1:08:00>> Thank you. Next we have Mikey Howell.

1:08:08>> All right.

1:08:10I'm I'm Mikey Howell. I'm the owner and

1:08:13farmer of Can Danco Farms in Murray

1:08:15Hill, and my address is on file.

1:08:18I'm here in support of the Pathway to

1:08:21Urban Agriculture Ordinance 2026-0807.

1:08:27All right. I'll start by saying it's

1:08:30it's really hard to be a farmer.

1:08:33I have heard comparisons to hot dog

1:08:35carts or other food businesses, and it

1:08:37just shows lack of understanding that

1:08:40exists in most of the population when it

1:08:42comes to what it takes to grow and sell

1:08:44food as a career.

1:08:47We want more neighborhood farms, but the

1:08:49truth is it's a labor labor of love.

1:08:53The people that grow veg for livelihood

1:08:55are doing so because they want real food

1:08:57for themselves and this community.

1:09:00It's not a get-rich-quick scheme.

1:09:03It is also not for the faint of heart.

1:09:05As you know, it rained for about a week

1:09:07and a half.

1:09:08It sucked. Uh it is also not for the

1:09:11week Yeah, yeah. Farmers in this city

1:09:13are doing incredible work and many of

1:09:15them are struggling to make ends meet or

1:09:17living humble lives due to the fall

1:09:19volatile nature of growing and selling

1:09:21produce at market.

1:09:23Also, in my eyes, we are in a nationwide

1:09:26crisis in terms of trusting our food

1:09:27system.

1:09:29When money is are given by the millions

1:09:31to grocers to protect this city from

1:09:33food system disaster,

1:09:35why is it the small farms would be

1:09:37limited or restricted at all in their

1:09:39ability to reach customers?

1:09:41We simply need the ability to do our job

1:09:43and do it without fear of government

1:09:45interference or jumping through hoops.

1:09:49I am personally deeply appreciative of

1:09:51the attention that the members of City

1:09:53Council and the mayor's office have

1:09:55given to the small but vital group of

1:09:57urban farmers and gardeners in the city.

1:10:00We are on the precipice of having a

1:10:02clear defined path for the next

1:10:04generation of would-be urban farmers

1:10:06to enter the realm and be able to really

1:10:08make a difference for this city and your

1:10:10constituents.

1:10:12We simply need a few adjustments to the

1:10:13proposed pathway to urban agriculture

1:10:16ordinance 2026-08-07

1:10:19to allow for at least a market a week

1:10:22and to allow for cross sales for farm

1:10:24goods for these farms and farmers to

1:10:26have a logical path to sell their wares.

1:10:29Thank you very much.

1:10:30>> Next we have Nancy Murray Suttle.

1:10:39>> Nancy Murray Suttle, address is on file.

1:10:42On September 22nd, my First Amendment

1:10:44rights were violated by the Jacksonville

1:10:46City Council when I was told I could not

1:10:48wear this shirt at the podium during

1:10:50public comment. This was just 5 days

1:10:52after the US celebrated Constitution

1:10:55Day.

1:10:56Currently, books are being banned in our

1:10:58schools, our military is engaged in an

1:11:00illegal war, the Department of Justice

1:11:02carried out an early morning raid on an

1:11:05opponent of the president. There are now

1:11:07plans to execute a person by firing

1:11:09squad on live stream it. People are

1:11:12getting killed on the street by Homeland

1:11:14Security forces. The president has told

1:11:17Iran to take out American cities. We can

1:11:20no longer turn a blind eye to our rapid

1:11:23slide into an authoritarian state.

1:11:26So, yes, I insist that my small act of

1:11:29wearing merchandise of a candidate for

1:11:30federal office who I believe will honor

1:11:32and uphold the constitutional rights not

1:11:35be violated by this government board. I

1:11:38will not let the Constitution die by a

1:11:40thousand small cuts and infractions that

1:11:43seem easy to ignore. So, tonight I'd

1:11:45like to take this opportunity to affirm

1:11:48that I, Nancy Murray, do solemnly swear

1:11:52that I will support and defend the

1:11:54Constitution of the United States

1:11:56against all enemies,

1:11:58foreign and domestic,

1:12:01that I will bear true faith and

1:12:02allegiance to the same, and that I take

1:12:05this obligation freely, without any

1:12:07mental reservation, or purpose of

1:12:10evasion.

1:12:11I am proud to affirm my oath to the

1:12:13Constitution of the United States of

1:12:15America, and I hope each of you will,

1:12:17too, as well as all of our citizens. We

1:12:20must each do our part to elect leaders

1:12:23who will commit to honoring the

1:12:25Constitution in word and indeed. I

1:12:28implore you to abide by your oath to

1:12:31defend the Constitution, and I implore

1:12:34everyone to get out and vote. Vote

1:12:36early, and bring a friend. We must be

1:12:38willing to defend our rights when we see

1:12:41them violated.

1:12:43I would also like to just ask a question

1:12:45about

1:12:470532

1:12:49that you voted for and passed, because

1:12:51as

1:12:52it still said concrete batch plant in

1:12:54all of that language. So, I'm really

1:12:56confused even in the amendment. It says

1:12:59a concrete batch plant and material

1:13:01storage. And so, that's in the

1:13:02amendment. How could you vote for that

1:13:05when that's what the language says?

1:13:07Because I was at LUZ and they promised

1:13:09to take it out.

1:13:10>> Thank you. Next we have Chloe

1:13:14Is

1:13:18How about Lashandra Sawyer?

1:13:21In the meantime, I'll invite up to the

1:13:22front, please, India Butler,

1:13:25Addison Liberty Patrick, Brian Lapinsky,

1:13:29Z Toth,

1:13:30and Ronnie Burris. Come on down to the

1:13:32front, please.

1:13:34Go ahead, ma'am.

1:13:35>> All right. My name is Lashandra Sawyer.

1:13:37My address is on file.

1:13:39I was thankful when I heard that the

1:13:41concrete batch plant was removed from

1:13:43the application, and I pray that that

1:13:46revision stays in place. However, I want

1:13:49to record the record to reflect that we

1:13:52have not heard from an independent

1:13:54environmental expert, and we still do

1:13:57not know what chemicals or materials

1:13:59will be stored on the ground. I believe

1:14:01we are fighting the symptoms of a much

1:14:04bigger problem. The process itself needs

1:14:06to change. Communities should not have

1:14:08to fight this hard to protect their

1:14:10health, homes, and neighborhoods.

1:14:13Residents deserve early notification

1:14:15that extends beyond just 32 homes and a

1:14:18350-ft radius. Transparency about

1:14:22proposed developments, independent

1:14:24environmental assessments, and a

1:14:27meaningful opportunity to be heard

1:14:29before decisions are made that could

1:14:31impact generations to come.

1:14:33We need a process that protects

1:14:35communities, not one that leaves them

1:14:37fighting just to be heard.

1:14:40>> Thank you, ma'am. Next we have India

1:14:42Butler.

1:14:44Is Butler?

1:14:50>> Good evening.

1:14:52My name is India Butler. I am a

1:14:54epidemiologist and I am a community

1:14:57health activist.

1:14:59Why am I here today? The public health

1:15:02concern here is more broader than just

1:15:06community awareness or are we paying

1:15:09attention to what's going on in our

1:15:10neighborhoods at this moment?

1:15:13The ordinance 2026 532 concrete plant

1:15:19placed in

1:15:21Northside

1:15:23predominately black neighborhood

1:15:26with hard working class neighborhoods um

1:15:29in this in this area.

1:15:32Jacksonville, Florida is the largest

1:15:35city land wise. Everybody should already

1:15:37know that. So, why are we targeting the

1:15:40Northside of Jacksonville to always

1:15:43rezone residential

1:15:46areas

1:15:47to fit heavy industrial

1:15:50use?

1:15:53That logically doesn't even make sense.

1:15:55But, if we evaluate this a little bit

1:15:57more um further with the land use

1:16:00decisions, we cannot treat industrial

1:16:03development and social health as

1:16:05separate issues.

1:16:07The spatial pattern of industrial

1:16:08placement is directly tied to the social

1:16:11economical vulnerabilities of our

1:16:13communities.

1:16:15And so, historically the pattern of

1:16:17environmental injustice for decades,

1:16:20urban planning, zoning maps follow

1:16:23predictable in inequitable formulas

1:16:26placing heavy industrial applications of

1:16:29batch plants

1:16:30bulk storages, logistic coordinators and

1:16:34disproportionately cited in the lower

1:16:36income and working hard working

1:16:39I vouch to their hard working class

1:16:42citizens, minority residents.

1:16:46But the higher wealth communities have

1:16:48the resources and the legal support and

1:16:51institutional assets to prohibit these

1:16:54same developments in their areas.

1:16:57Now, moving forward here, we need to

1:16:59protect our hardworking neighborhood uh

1:17:02you know, class neighborhoods

1:17:04from industrial encroachment, not

1:17:06stopping progress. It is about demanding

1:17:09economic development never comes to the

1:17:11expense of a human life, community

1:17:14dignity, and environmental justice.

1:17:16Thank you.

1:17:17>> Thank you. Next we have Addison Liberty

1:17:19Patrick.

1:17:26>> Good evening. My name is Addison Liberty

1:17:27Patrick and my address is on file. Uh

1:17:31first regarding ordinance 26-701

1:17:34asking the taxpayers to pay $26 million

1:17:37blanket allocation for JSO is

1:17:40ridiculous. No, please.

1:17:42Uh I strongly urge you to scale back

1:17:44this and prioritize the funding for the

1:17:47JFRD CO2 removal system because that is

1:17:51an essential practical necessity.

1:17:53I support Nathan Ballentine and all's

1:17:57request for the amendments to their new

1:17:59bill, the pathways to urban ag. Thanks

1:18:02to the council members who are working

1:18:03with them on this. We see you, we

1:18:05appreciate that. And we just need to

1:18:07tweak a couple of things on that to make

1:18:09this a true benefit for our community.

1:18:12On the concrete batch plant,

1:18:14we said no.

1:18:16We need our neighborhood bill of rights

1:18:18to be active. We need this to be

1:18:20followed. Uh come to the next Red

1:18:22Alliance for Justice meeting if you want

1:18:25to hear what we're going to do in the

1:18:26community to stop this um discrimination

1:18:29in historically redlined areas.

1:18:32Uh 2026-0644,

1:18:35uh that's in district two, I oppose

1:18:37renaming that. Also, no tolls at any

1:18:40time, please. And also lastly, shame on

1:18:44Jason Teal for violating freedom of

1:18:46expression

1:18:47last meeting. That will not stand. Thank

1:18:50you.

1:18:51>> Next we have Brian Lepinski.

1:19:01>> Hello, my name is Brian Lepinski and my

1:19:03address is on file.

1:19:06Um

1:19:06I'm here to speak uh

1:19:09in support of the Pathways to Urban Ag

1:19:11bill.

1:19:12Uh I'm the owner-operator

1:19:14of a small farm called Down to Earth

1:19:16Organic Farm

1:19:17on the west side.

1:19:19Uh my wife and I started our farm nearly

1:19:2220 years ago

1:19:24and we're amazed at the demand that

1:19:25people had for a source of local uh

1:19:28clean organically grown food.

1:19:31Um there were not many local growers 20

1:19:33years ago. And fast forward to today and

1:19:36there still aren't very many growers for

1:19:38a city of nearly a million people.

1:19:41There are likely lots of reasons for

1:19:42this.

1:19:43Um but there are examples of small-scale

1:19:45growers having to deal with various

1:19:47bureaucratic and code problems that are

1:19:49too arduous or complex to navigate or

1:19:52are unevenly applied.

1:19:56Uh my farm is blessed to be zoned ag,

1:19:59but we need to create a better

1:20:00environment for micro-farms and

1:20:01community gardens. These small farms

1:20:04enrich our lives immeasurably.

1:20:06Um a group group of us are here to ask

1:20:08for meaningful reform

1:20:10um that will help small growers and

1:20:11community gardens have a clear path to

1:20:13helping feed ourselves.

1:20:15And we are encouraged that the bill is

1:20:17moving forward. But in its present

1:20:19writing, it severely and unrealistically

1:20:21limits the number of market days.

1:20:24It also expressly disallows cross sales

1:20:27from other local producers, which

1:20:28undermines the community building and

1:20:30economic viability

1:20:32of these market farms.

1:20:34So, I ask it for you guys and gals to

1:20:37please push forward and support the

1:20:39Pathways to Urban Ag Bill. Thank you.

1:20:42>> Thank you, sir. Next we have Z Toth.

1:20:50>> Uh

1:20:51good evening.

1:20:52My name is Z and my address is on file.

1:20:56Uh I'm here as the representative of the

1:20:59Farm and Forge. It's a urban farm

1:21:02located in Murray Hill neighborhood. I'm

1:21:04the owner and operator.

1:21:06And today I'm here to show support for

1:21:08the Pathways for Urban Ag Ordinance

1:21:112026-0807,

1:21:15formally the Free to Garden Act,

1:21:17uh making neighborhood-friendly

1:21:19community and market gardens permissible

1:21:21by right in Jacksonville,

1:21:23and urge City Council to embrace a few

1:21:25critical amendments to ensure the

1:21:27ordinance achieves the intended purpose.

1:21:30I believe that urban farms and community

1:21:32gardens offer tremendous benefits to our

1:21:34city and its people. They help build a

1:21:37more sustainable local food network,

1:21:39increase access to fresh, healthy food,

1:21:42and empower aspiring and established

1:21:44growers to turn their passion into

1:21:46something meaningful.

1:21:48By supporting urban agriculture, we're

1:21:50investing in a healthier communities, a

1:21:53more resilient local food system, and a

1:21:55brighter future for Jacksonville.

1:21:58So, we would kindly request that you

1:21:59review ordinance 2026-0807,

1:22:04along with the proposed amendments that

1:22:06we'll submit to the public record for

1:22:07your review. Thank you.

1:22:09>> Thank you, sir. Next we have Ronnie

1:22:10Burris.

1:22:12In the meantime, I'm going to invite the

1:22:13following to come down to the front,

1:22:14please. Casey Jones, Pamela Faith

1:22:17Caraveo,

1:22:20Eugene Trey Ford, James Matchett, and

1:22:23Wells Todd. Go ahead, sir.

1:22:25>> Hello, my name is Ronnie Burris, and my

1:22:28address is on file, and I'm here to

1:22:31thank all of you

1:22:33for passing our contract

1:22:36um

1:22:37that we have

1:22:39for with JEA.

1:22:41Uh the people that I represent

1:22:43some of them have been working 24 hours

1:22:47a day with all this rain that we've

1:22:50had.

1:22:51Um they work around the clock.

1:22:54They

1:22:55you know, the people with JEA, the

1:22:58employees of JEA

1:23:00even though I don't represent the

1:23:02linemen, they're over in the panhandle

1:23:04right now helping those people get power

1:23:07back.

1:23:09Um

1:23:10they're heroes, too.

1:23:12The employees of JEA are heroes.

1:23:15So, I want to thank you all for passing

1:23:18this contract cuz it's really important

1:23:20for us.

1:23:21The other thing I want to say is you see

1:23:23I'm wearing a pink shirt.

1:23:26There's a reason I'm wearing a pink

1:23:27shirt.

1:23:29Breast cancer month.

1:23:31So,

1:23:32I'm here where

1:23:34being proud of wearing my pink shirt,

1:23:37and I cuz I know a lot of people that

1:23:40have

1:23:41had cancer or cancer survivors or family

1:23:45members and lost

1:23:47cancer uh family members to cancer.

1:23:50So, um I just want to say thank you

1:23:53again, and uh we'll

1:23:56see you soon, I am sure. Thank you.

1:23:59>> Thank you, sir. Next, we have Casey

1:24:01Jones.

1:24:07>> How y'all doing? Uh Casey Jones, uh the

1:24:10my address is on file.

1:24:13For a lighter note, I I didn't wear my

1:24:154th of July

1:24:17uh shirt. Just wanted to say go Jags.

1:24:20Uh

1:24:21appreciate y'all for voting for the new

1:24:23stadium season ticket holder.

1:24:25Pretty big Jag fan, so even had to wear

1:24:28my Mr. T starter kit to celebrate. How

1:24:31is that awesome or what?

1:24:33So, uh

1:24:34did anybody see the space shuttle? I

1:24:36mean space shuttle.

1:24:38The rocket this morning, that was

1:24:40amazing.

1:24:41So, so why am I here? Everybody knows

1:24:44I'm passionate about the Fourth

1:24:45Amendment and the Constitution.

1:24:48Um I've

1:24:50asking one of y'all. I've

1:24:52I've asked a couple of y'all

1:24:54uh last last meeting, I wanted to get

1:24:57y'all to ask the y'all's lawyer

1:25:00if y'all

1:25:02uh banned Flock cameras, would it be for

1:25:05the whole county? So, everybody thinks

1:25:07that's a wash under the bridge. Nobody's

1:25:10talking about it anymore except in St.

1:25:12Johns County. Uh unfortunately,

1:25:16it's in my my neighborhood. So, I live

1:25:19in Jax Beach. Everybody fell in line

1:25:22with our great governor.

1:25:24Didn't want to violate the Fourth

1:25:26Amendment. So, TK Waters got rid of

1:25:29them.

1:25:31Uh the chief for both chiefs in Neptune

1:25:34Beach and Atlantic Beach followed in

1:25:36line.

1:25:37And unfortunately, Jax Beach did not.

1:25:41So, they're still violating the Fourth

1:25:43Amendment. One good one quick

1:25:45stat here.

1:25:47Um have you ever heard of over the

1:25:49ditch? So,

1:25:51uh or townies. So,

1:25:54um 86%

1:25:56of the people that get arrested in Jax

1:25:58Beach don't live in Jax Beach. Did you

1:26:01know that?

1:26:0286% of people that get arrested. All of

1:26:06them are townies or

1:26:08they're over the ditch. It's It's how

1:26:10the beach people talk. So,

1:26:12uh how many people in Jax Beach are

1:26:17being violated with the fourth amendment

1:26:20to try to catch the 86%

1:26:23That's crazy.

1:26:26AI and those cameras are bad news.

1:26:30So

1:26:31but if y'all hadn't catch the sunrise

1:26:33lately and you live in Florida,

1:26:35that should be a crime. So y'all get to

1:26:37the beach and I appreciate what y'all

1:26:39do.

1:26:40>> Thanks, sir.

1:26:41Next we have Pamela Faith Caraveo.

1:26:44I believe that's correct, I hope.

1:26:50>> Good evening, City Council President and

1:26:53memberships of the Jacksonville City

1:26:56Council. My name is Pamela Faith Caraveo

1:26:59and my address is on file.

1:27:02I'm here today to advocate for the

1:27:04health, safety and well-being of our

1:27:06dogs in our community.

1:27:08As we all know, Florida experiences

1:27:10extremely hot temperatures, especially

1:27:12during the summer months.

1:27:14However, what many people may not

1:27:16realize is that pavement beneath our

1:27:17feet becomes significantly hotter than

1:27:20the surrounding air.

1:27:22And for dogs, this presents a serious

1:27:24concern.

1:27:26Exposure to excessively hot pavement can

1:27:28cause painful burns, blistering and

1:27:30injuries to their paw pads.

1:27:33Additionally, exercising in extreme heat

1:27:36can put dogs at risk of heat stroke,

1:27:38which can become life-threatening.

1:27:41According to the American Animal

1:27:43Hospital Association outdoor surfaces as

1:27:46asphalt and concrete can reach

1:27:48temperatures substantially higher than

1:27:51the surrounding air.

1:27:53Cornell University's College of

1:27:54Veterinary Medicine also identifies hot

1:27:57pavement as a potential cause of paw pad

1:28:00burns in dogs.

1:28:02These are preventable injuries and I

1:28:04believe we have an opportunity to take

1:28:06proactive measure measures to protect

1:28:09animals in our community.

1:28:11Today, I would like to propose that the

1:28:13city of Jacksonville consider

1:28:15implementing educational heat safety

1:28:17warning signs in selected public parks,

1:28:20walking trails, and other frequently

1:28:22used dog walking areas.

1:28:25These signs could inform pet owners

1:28:27about the dangers of hot pavement,

1:28:30encourage them to check surface

1:28:31temperatures before walking their dogs,

1:28:34recommend safer walking hours, and help

1:28:37them recognize warning signs of

1:28:39heat-related stress.

1:28:43I would also like to encourage

1:28:45collaboration between the city, local

1:28:48veterinarians, animal welfare

1:28:50organizations, and animal and

1:28:52pro-protective services to help educate

1:28:55the public.

1:28:58My intention is not to restrict

1:29:00residents from enjoying outdoor

1:29:01activities with their pets. Rather, my

1:29:03goal is to promote awareness,

1:29:05responsible pet ownership, and the

1:29:08prevention of unnecessary animal

1:29:09suffering.

1:29:11I respectfully ask the City Council to

1:29:13consider a pilot program for educational

1:29:16signage in selected high-traffic dog

1:29:18walking areas,

1:29:20and to help identify

1:29:22>> Thank you, ma'am.

1:29:23>> Thank you.

1:29:24>> Thank you.

1:29:24>> Council member Pulucci wants to talk to

1:29:26you in the green room.

1:29:27>> I'm sorry.

1:29:28>> Council member Pulucci wants to follow

1:29:29up and talk to you more about it that in

1:29:30the green room.

1:29:31>> I appreciate it. Thank you.

1:29:32>> Yep.

1:29:35>> Next, we have Eugene Treyford.

1:29:43>> Thank you.

1:29:44Uh Treyford, my address is on file, but

1:29:46I do live in the Grand Park agricultural

1:29:49district. I'm here representing Duval

1:29:51Soil and Water Conservation District in

1:29:52support of ordinance 2026-0807,

1:29:56uh which is the ordinance formerly known

1:29:58as the Freedom to Garden Act. Uh now

1:30:00it's called the Pathways to Urban

1:30:01Agriculture, uh but I'm seeing some

1:30:03block ways in these pathways, uh

1:30:06blockades.

1:30:07Um

1:30:08one of them is uh the bill does not give

1:30:11market garden 70 open days a years, it

1:30:14caps them at 12 public sales days per

1:30:16calendar year.

1:30:17The 12-day number was carried over

1:30:19anchoring market days to the city's

1:30:21garage sale limit.

1:30:23That's the problem. A garage sale is the

1:30:25wrong benchmark for a farm. A garage

1:30:27sale moves old furniture and

1:30:29non-perishable wares, whereas a farmer

1:30:31is selling food that's ripe, perishable,

1:30:34and in-season right now. Uh when the

1:30:36harvest comes in, it has no has no time

1:30:39to move, so it has to move right away.

1:30:40So, you can't tell a tomato uh to wait

1:30:43for your allotted day to sell.

1:30:45Uh it gets tighter still under

1:30:46subsection 14, educational and community

1:30:49activities, workshops, student farm

1:30:51days, garden tours, uh those count

1:30:54against those same 12 days. So, a grower

1:30:56teaching kids in an after-school program

1:30:58can exhaust their entire year uh just

1:31:01before holding a single market.

1:31:03Uh so, I'm asking that you strengthen

1:31:04the ordinance uh before it's final,

1:31:06raise the limit from 12 days to 70 days,

1:31:09uh benchmark to actually how food grows,

1:31:12um and not to garage sales. Also, allow

1:31:14our growers to cross-sell agricultural

1:31:17and value-added products, uh which will

1:31:19strengthen the uh the collaboration

1:31:21between urban farmers in a business that

1:31:23is already low margin. Let's pass an

1:31:26ordinance that doesn't permit doesn't

1:31:28just permit urban agriculture, but let's

1:31:30it thrive. Thank you.

1:31:31>> Thank you, sir. Next, we have James

1:31:33Matchett.

1:31:35Mr. Matchett?

1:31:38Mr. Todd, Wells Todd.

1:31:44>> Good evening. My name is Wells Todd. My

1:31:46address is on file, and I'm with Take

1:31:48'Em Down Jax.

1:31:50A question that is on

1:31:52many minds in this city is

1:31:55who does the city council really work

1:31:57for?

1:31:58And is it the people

1:31:59or is it the special interests?

1:32:02You can't serve two masters.

1:32:04And right now it appears that the

1:32:06developer class is more important than

1:32:09the people.

1:32:11It appears that the wealthy of this town

1:32:14are more important than the people.

1:32:17Your support for special interests, your

1:32:19support

1:32:21with the criminal Zionist government of

1:32:23Israel,

1:32:24and your own interests appears to be

1:32:27more important than the interests of the

1:32:29people.

1:32:31With the building of the concrete

1:32:34supply plant,

1:32:37that's what we're calling it now,

1:32:40that has been proven to be hazardous to

1:32:42the community, speaks volumes about

1:32:46your priorities.

1:32:48One of the first questions that needs to

1:32:50be asked regarding developing

1:32:54and the development of anything in a

1:32:56community is how does it benefit the

1:32:59community?

1:33:09The liquor store that was about to be

1:33:10built

1:33:13on the north side

1:33:14didn't

1:33:16and would not improve the condition of

1:33:18the community.

1:33:19The morgue and medical examiner's office

1:33:22did not and cannot improve the condition

1:33:25of the community.

1:33:26Institutionalized racism is real.

1:33:29Redlining is real and the exploitation

1:33:32of the north side is real.

1:33:36I and groups in this city will continue

1:33:39to fight for a neighborhood bill of

1:33:41rights

1:33:43that puts the control of what is

1:33:45developed in communities into the hands

1:33:48of the people.

1:33:51>> Thank you. Our last four speakers, will

1:33:53you please come on down to the front,

1:33:54please? Tom Maguire,

1:33:57Keith Brown,

1:34:00Jamie Travis Leonard, and Blake Harper.

1:34:04Mr. Maguire, you're up first.

1:34:08>> I'm first?

1:34:09>> Yes, sir.

1:34:10>> Ah, thank you.

1:34:12Good evening. I am Tom Maguire, 4711

1:34:16Herder Road, Jacksonville, Florida

1:34:1732210.

1:34:19Got to say it's got to be embarrassing

1:34:22investigating the wrong government

1:34:24agency. Turns out that it was the

1:34:26Jacksonville Transportation Authority,

1:34:28rather than the JEA, that had problems.

1:34:32The question is, how does this happen?

1:34:35Um, because

1:34:37you know, the result of this lack of

1:34:40oversight has allowed that that has

1:34:42allowed unpaid bills to stack up at JEA

1:34:46for 14 years.

1:34:48I mean, this

1:34:50just

1:34:51there needed to be some oversight over

1:34:53this agency.

1:34:55And as a result of this lack of

1:34:57stewardship, workers have

1:35:00faced increased challenges getting to

1:35:01work, students face challenges getting

1:35:03to school, and all families are

1:35:05inconvenienced and face greater

1:35:07difficulties in living their daily

1:35:09lives.

1:35:11And this is something we need to find

1:35:13out more and get to the bottom of, and

1:35:15we need to make sure this doesn't happen

1:35:18again. Now, changing directions here, I

1:35:20was disappointed in the last budget

1:35:22discussion to see that the majority of

1:35:24the cuts in the budget impacted social

1:35:27programs,

1:35:28while ignoring the most consequential

1:35:31cut possible. When planning for an

1:35:33uncertain financial future, the question

1:35:36must be asked,

1:35:38can the city actually afford a new jail?

1:35:42Uh,

1:35:42a council member here expressed a desire

1:35:45for a $100,000 cushion in the current

1:35:48budget, but consider how many more times

1:35:52the projected cost of this new jail

1:35:55would provide that hundred thousand

1:35:56dollar cushion going well into the

1:35:59future.

1:36:00Um

1:36:01so

1:36:02we must seriously consider tabling that

1:36:05proposed new jail just for the good of

1:36:07the city and the financial situation it

1:36:09faces.

1:36:11Um

1:36:12Also,

1:36:14um

1:36:15there are other

1:36:16um

1:36:18One other point I want to make here is

1:36:20we could also, when we're talking about

1:36:22these cuts, spread the cuts across all

1:36:25of the departments that

1:36:28that can also produce those substantial

1:36:30savings and we might want to consider

1:36:32the JSO budget as part of that too

1:36:35because after all they pay money for

1:36:37flock cameras, which didn't prove to be

1:36:39a wise investment. Thank you.

1:36:41>> Keith Brown is next.

1:36:50>> Good morning. Address is on file.

1:36:52My name is Keith Brown.

1:36:54Uh affordability in Jacksonville, I mean

1:36:56it's reached its peak.

1:36:57There are people living in trailers and

1:36:59apartments and they can't even afford

1:37:00them.

1:37:01Um how do we expect people to come to

1:37:03Jacksonville and live if they can't even

1:37:05afford a place to live? Jacksonville has

1:37:07became an apartments apartment city.

1:37:10They're they're demolishing things just

1:37:11to build more apartments. We don't need

1:37:13more apartments. We need We need other

1:37:15things built. We need thing We need

1:37:17things like more more more parks. Let's

1:37:19Let's bring in more parks, more

1:37:21restaurants.

1:37:22Public safety is another thing. Uh

1:37:26People want to feel safe when walking

1:37:27out to their cars, homes.

1:37:29Yeah, nobody feels safe with the things

1:37:32that JSO is doing. It It is terrible.

1:37:35JSO is doing I'm I'm They're doing a

1:37:37terrible job. Uh

1:37:41A lady said uh somebody broke into her

1:37:43house.

1:37:44Uh JSO took 25 to 30 minutes to respond.

1:37:4925 to 30 minutes. How is people How are

1:37:51people supposed to feel safe when JSO is

1:37:53taking that taking 30 minutes to respond

1:37:56to a to a break-in to a house?

1:38:00It is terrible. And J A is terrible.

1:38:03There is things that that goes on in our

1:38:05government that that

1:38:08the mayor

1:38:09and and some people in city council

1:38:11decide to just throw out and turn a

1:38:13blind eye because they don't want to

1:38:14deal with it. How are we going to get

1:38:15things done in the city if y'all don't

1:38:16want to deal with certain things that

1:38:18goes on in the city?

1:38:20We need we need stuff to be done.

1:38:23And we and and

1:38:24we need to start off by stop building

1:38:26more apartments. Stop stop building

1:38:28things that we no longer need.

1:38:30The homeless population increases every

1:38:32single day because people cannot afford

1:38:34to live in this city. It is terrible.

1:38:37I go downtown, you see more people

1:38:39more more homeless people sitting on

1:38:41side of the road. Why they being

1:38:42homeless? Because they can't afford a

1:38:43place to live.

1:38:45And you know what JSO do? If you sit on

1:38:47the sidewalk or if you ask people for

1:38:49money, a city is there's a city

1:38:51ordinance that if if somebody's asking

1:38:53you for money, they get a citation. How

1:38:54do we expect the homeless person to pay

1:38:56for a ticket?

1:38:58They can't. They're homeless.

1:39:00Do better, Jacksonville.

1:39:05>> Next we have Jamie Travis Leonard.

1:39:13>> Good evening, city council. My name is

1:39:14Jamie Travis Leonard. My address is on

1:39:16file. I'm back to talk about affordable

1:39:18housing. I kind of stopped cuz I thought

1:39:20you all got it, but after the last

1:39:22budget meeting, it's very clear you

1:39:23don't. So, let me give you some facts.

1:39:25This is all from the US Census Bureau.

1:39:28So, we are at almost a million

1:39:29population. We have 413

1:39:34620

1:39:35occupied housing units. We have about

1:39:3836,000 that are unoccupied.

1:39:41In that though, we only have a 58.1%

1:39:44home ownership rate in Jacksonville,

1:39:45which is 10% less than Florida overall,

1:39:49which has a 68% home ownership. Now, I'm

1:39:51sure what you're thinking

1:39:53is just cuz we're not building fast

1:39:55enough. No, it's cuz houses are too

1:39:56expensive.

1:39:58That's the bottom line. So, do you want

1:39:59to know what the highest housing value

1:40:01is? Like the highest percentage? It is

1:40:04300k to 499k.

1:40:07That is 39.7%

1:40:10of all those housing units.

1:40:12Do you want to know what the median

1:40:13income is in Jacksonville?

1:40:16$72,000.

1:40:18I know those people aren't affording

1:40:19those almost half a million-dollar

1:40:21homes.

1:40:22So, who is? Now, you may think, "Oh,

1:40:24it's probably people moving from out of

1:40:26the state." No, we only had 3.9% of our

1:40:28population move from outside Florida.

1:40:31You know who owns those homes?

1:40:32Developers.

1:40:34Renters.

1:40:35Slumlords.

1:40:38We have an affordability crisis because

1:40:40you all are allowing people to develop

1:40:42housing

1:40:43units and development areas that people

1:40:45cannot afford.

1:40:49We have

1:40:50so many people come up here saying they

1:40:52want to own homes. People want to own

1:40:53homes in this cities and they can't cuz

1:40:55you've priced them out.

1:40:57Stop approving these massive

1:40:59developments with 40-ft lots

1:41:02that are then

1:41:03300k. That's ridiculous.

1:41:06Do better. Give us actual affordable

1:41:09housing.

1:41:10Thank you.

1:41:13>> Uh

1:41:14And lastly, I have uh Blake Harper.

1:41:42>> My name is Blake Harper information on

1:41:43file. First of all, although uh

1:41:46President Nick Helm is not here, I want

1:41:47to acknowledge the very important

1:41:49resolution that he authored and you all

1:41:53passed 18 to 1 recognizing and

1:41:55supporting Israel uh on the on the

1:41:58attack of October 7th, 2023.

1:42:02Socialism is a word that's getting a lot

1:42:04of attention today.

1:42:06And so we're going to talk about

1:42:07socialism.

1:42:09First of all,

1:42:10I might suggest that you get this video

1:42:13from Hillsdale College. It's called

1:42:14Marxism, Socialism, and Communism. I'm

1:42:17not promoting it. I'm just sharing with

1:42:19you where we've gotten a lot of our

1:42:21information from.

1:42:23What I'm going to do is I'm going to

1:42:24We're going to talk about this handout

1:42:26that you've gotten. And first of all, I

1:42:27want to thank Wells Todd for all of his

1:42:29public's posts on Facebook because they

1:42:32actually illustrate the words are on

1:42:34this video. Communism, Marxism, and

1:42:37Socialism, okay? And I We're going to

1:42:40start with the thing about socialism

1:42:41that you all need to understand.

1:42:44Socialism means to destroy private

1:42:47property.

1:42:49If you own a home,

1:42:51they want to take it.

1:42:52Okay? And it started back with the

1:42:55National Socialist German Workers'

1:42:57Party, otherwise known as the Nazi

1:42:59Party. And this is what Hitler said. In

1:43:02other words, socialization or what is

1:43:04known here as socialism, the good of the

1:43:06good of the community takes priority

1:43:08over the individual.

1:43:10Wells Todd talks about Kyrsten Sinema

1:43:12says a political and economic theory of

1:43:14social organization which advocates that

1:43:16the means of production, distribution,

1:43:18exchange should be owned or regulated by

1:43:20the community.

1:43:22No private property. And it goes on to

1:43:24say that Joe Manchin

1:43:27is not a socialist. He's owned by the

1:43:29the big business people. The bottom line

1:43:32is socialism, fascism, Nazism,

1:43:34communism, they're all the same. Adolf

1:43:37Hitler said of communism, social we're

1:43:39so socialist make communist look like

1:43:41pamphleteers.

1:43:43So, here's the point I have to ask ask

1:43:45you.

1:43:46If the words KKK are socially repugnant,

1:43:50why is not the word socialism, which is

1:43:52an attack on our Constitution and the

1:43:55values of this country?

1:43:57Thank you.

1:44:00>> Thank you, Mr. Harper. We got again two

1:44:02folks who I called that did not come

1:44:04down in front. I'll give them another

1:44:05shot here. James Matchett

1:44:08and Lashandra Sawyer.

1:44:10Last call.

1:44:12Mr. Vice President, that concludes our

1:44:13public comment portion of our agenda.

1:44:16We'll move on now to public hearings

1:44:18beginning on page 13. Council members

1:44:20should declare any ex parte

1:44:21communications. Anyone wishing to speak

1:44:24will be allowed 3 minutes to speak on

1:44:26any bills. If you provided your address

1:44:29on the prescribed form do not and do not

1:44:31wish to state it in the microphone,

1:44:32again, just merely state that it's on

1:44:34the record.

1:44:36But, we encourage your specific you to

1:44:37be specific as to your location as it

1:44:39likely will impact the weight of your

1:44:41comments. Like public comment, assuming

1:44:44approval of the presiding officer, a

1:44:45speaker may be invited to the R. A.

1:44:47Johnson room for further discussions

1:44:49with a council member. Failure to

1:44:51complete the form provided including the

1:44:54provision of an address on the form will

1:44:56mean your name will not be called for

1:44:58the public hearing.

1:45:00Mr. Teal, would you or Miss Smith, would

1:45:02you please read the bills?

1:45:04>> 2026

1:45:06558, 644, 662, 694, 695, 696, 747, 748,

1:45:16749, 751, 752, 753, 755, 756, 778, 780,

1:45:27647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654,

1:45:38655, 6

1:45:40Excuse me, 656,

1:45:42689, 690, 691, 692, and 693.

1:45:49>> Mr. Vice President, may I ask that you

1:45:50please open all of these public

1:45:52hearings?

1:45:52>> These public hearings are open.

1:45:55Turning now to page 13, item number 22,

1:45:572026-0558.

1:45:59I have one speaker card.

1:46:02And that is Jamie Travis Leonard. She

1:46:05opposes this bill, but does not wish to

1:46:07speak to it.

1:46:08>> All right, thank you. This public

1:46:09hearing continues until 10:27:26.

1:46:12And we have Is it ex parte on this one?

1:46:15Okay, you can declare it now, or you can

1:46:16declare it when we actually vote on the

1:46:18bill.

1:46:19All right, we'll go now. Councilmember

1:46:21Sale, you're recognized.

1:46:22>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I

1:46:24received 100 and 111 emails in

1:46:27opposition 6 October 1, and they've been

1:46:29filed with legislative services. Thank

1:46:31you.

1:46:31>> All right. Councilmember Navarro,

1:46:34you're recognized. Go ahead.

1:46:36>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I was

1:46:38going to wait, but I rise to declare ex

1:46:41parte on this. I received a number of

1:46:44emails as well as letters, and it has or

1:46:48will be filed with legislative services.

1:46:51>> All right. Councilwoman Pittman, you're

1:46:52recognized.

1:46:57>> I rise also to declare ex parte.

1:47:01Um I received many, many, I think over

1:47:04120 something as well. I've already

1:47:06filed the legislation. Thank you.

1:47:09>> All right. Councilwoman Johnson, you're

1:47:10recognized.

1:47:13>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I too

1:47:14rise to declare additional ex parte.

1:47:17I don't see it here, but I I thought it

1:47:18was filed already. I will follow up on

1:47:20that. Uh I received 47

1:47:23uh additional letters uh from groups

1:47:25about this particular legislation and

1:47:27that is being filed. This is the

1:47:28additional ex parte. It's being filed

1:47:30with legislative services once they're

1:47:31scanned. Thank you.

1:47:33>> All right, we have no other speakers in

1:47:34the queue. So, as I said before, this

1:47:36public hearing is continued till

1:47:3710:27:26.

1:47:39>> Item 23, 2026-644.

1:47:42I have one speaker card, John Nunez,

1:47:44supports the bill but does not wish to

1:47:45speak to it.

1:47:47>> This public hearing is closed.

1:47:49>> Page 14, item number

1:47:50>> We have a amendment.

1:47:51>> I'll move the amendment.

1:47:53Thank you for the help.

1:47:54>> All right, we have a motion and a second

1:47:55on the amendment. No one in the queue.

1:47:58All in favor of the amendment signify by

1:47:59saying aye. Any opposed? The amendment

1:48:01carries.

1:48:02>> Move the bill as amended.

1:48:03>> All right, we have a motion and a second

1:48:04on the bill as amended. Council member

1:48:05McGarvey, you're recognized.

1:48:09>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Uh

1:48:12This this is

1:48:13uh part of the uh preserve in my

1:48:16district that uh

1:48:18Mr. Middlebrook Martin Middlebrook was

1:48:21the driving force in the Delaney

1:48:22administration that made this happen.

1:48:25And with without him, we would not have

1:48:29a preserve in in out there to protect

1:48:32the land. So, um

1:48:35wish wish we could have had more, but uh

1:48:38the work that he's done uh is

1:48:42uh

1:48:43tremendous. And it will basically last

1:48:46last forever in our community. Uh our

1:48:49whole community, Black Hammock Island,

1:48:52everybody supports this uh

1:48:54naming this section of the preserve uh

1:48:57for the Middlebrook Martin Middlebrook

1:48:59in remembrance of him and the great work

1:49:01he did. And so, thank you.

1:49:04>> All right, thank you, sir. We have no

1:49:06one else in the queue. Open the ballot,

1:49:08record your vote.

1:49:16>> 15 yes, zero nays.

1:49:18>> By your action, you've approved 2026644.

1:49:23Turning now to page 14, item 24,

1:49:252026662.

1:49:26I have a number of speaker cards.

1:49:29Kevin Kramer, questions only.

1:49:32Kristen Mood, question uh does not wish

1:49:34to speak, but supports, questions only.

1:49:37Wes Huber, Haber, does not wish to

1:49:39speak, but supports.

1:49:42And I think that's it.

1:49:44>> All right, this public hearing's closed.

1:49:46>> Moving on now to item 25. I'll move the

1:49:48bill.

1:49:50>> All right, we have a motion and a second

1:49:51on the bill. No one in the queue.

1:49:54Open the ballot, record your vote.

1:49:59It's my first night, not your first

1:50:00night, man. What are you doing?

1:50:02>> 15 yes, zero nays.

1:50:04>> By your action, you've approved 2026662.

1:50:07>> Let me try this again. 2025, 2026694.

1:50:11I have

1:50:13one speaker card,

1:50:14Jamie Travis Leonard. She opposes it,

1:50:17but it does not wish to speak.

1:50:19>> This public hearing's closed.

1:50:20>> Item number 26, 2026695.

1:50:23Again, one speaker card, questions only,

1:50:26Steven Smith.

1:50:29>> This question or

1:50:30This public hearing's closed.

1:50:33>> Turning the page, item number 27,

1:50:352026696.

1:50:39I have one speaker card, does not wish

1:50:41to speak, questions only, Ricky Rand.

1:50:44>> Public hearing's closed.

1:50:46>> Item 28 and 29, 2026747. Well, I can't

1:50:49I'll do them separately. 2028747,

1:50:52I have no speaker cards.

1:50:54>> Public hearing's closed.

1:50:55>> 2029,

1:50:572026748.

1:50:59I have no speaker cards.

1:51:02>> Public hearing's closed. Any additional

1:51:03public hearings on 102726?

1:51:06>> Turning to page 30, item number 2026749.

1:51:09I have one speaker card, John Nooney.

1:51:18>> All right. Hello. I am John J. Nooney,

1:51:22Jacksonville City Council Resolution

1:51:242023-0819.

1:51:27When City Council District 4 C PAC,

1:51:28Planning District 3, School Board

1:51:30District 3. And um

1:51:33So, this one is Jack Zoo

1:51:36Amendment 3 public park on Pottsburg

1:51:38Creek. Um

1:51:40You know what? I just want to just bring

1:51:41to everyone's attention. We're going to

1:51:43authorize disbursement of city funds for

1:51:45a verified costs

1:51:47without first requiring evidence of the

1:51:50society's expenditures

1:51:52of the matching dollars.

1:51:54So, that makes sense to me.

1:51:56So, uh sounds like JTA stuff there.

1:52:00But, uh it's a neighborhood's finance,

1:52:02but not rules.

1:52:04So, uh

1:52:06Anyway, just wanted to get that on the

1:52:07record. Thank you.

1:52:09>> No more speaker cards.

1:52:10>> and 7:49.

1:52:11>> This public hearing's closed.

1:52:12>> Item 31, 2026-751,

1:52:14I have no speaker cards.

1:52:16>> Public hearing's closed.

1:52:17>> Turning to page 17, item number 32,

1:52:192026-752,

1:52:21I have no speaker cards.

1:52:22>> Public hearing's closed.

1:52:24>> Item number 33, 2026-753,

1:52:27I have one speaker card,

1:52:29Ms. Travis Leonard.

1:52:39>> Good evening, City Council. My name is

1:52:40Jamie Travis Leonard. My address is on

1:52:42file. So, I come up in support of

1:52:4426-753.

1:52:47Um I really just wanted to come up and

1:52:48say that

1:52:50as I said during my public comment, we

1:52:51have an affordability crisis. I

1:52:53appreciate the dollars that were put

1:52:55back into our budget and dollars that

1:52:56are currently being shifted to other

1:52:57parts so we can have some down payment

1:52:59assistance to try and help people get

1:53:01into homes.

1:53:02But, people won't be able to get into

1:53:04$500,000 homes even with down payment

1:53:07assistance.

1:53:08So, we need to holistically look at

1:53:11housing

1:53:12and not just solely focus on down

1:53:15payment assistance. I fear that because

1:53:17that's the easiest route, that's the one

1:53:19we're continually taking

1:53:21to try and address the affordability

1:53:23issue we have. So, my request, besides

1:53:27obviously passing this because I support

1:53:29it, is to through your work with the

1:53:32mayor, through your work with each

1:53:33other, through your work with L U Z,

1:53:36find a way to get us affordable houses

1:53:41that the median income household earner

1:53:44can afford and not go into massive debt

1:53:48that they may default on.

1:53:50Thank you.

1:53:51>> No more speaker cards in 753.

1:53:53>> Public hearing's closed.

1:53:56>> I have no speaker card for you.

1:53:58>> Read the next bill.

1:54:01>> No, sir. Nope.

1:54:02>> Item number 34, 2026-755.

1:54:05I have two speaker cards, Travis

1:54:07Leonard, Ms. Travis Leonard,

1:54:09and uh John Nooney, both of which do not

1:54:12wish to speak, but to support the bill.

1:54:15>> Public hearing's closed.

1:54:18>> Returning to page

1:54:2018, item number 35, 2026-756.

1:54:24I have

1:54:26one speaker card, John Nooney.

1:54:34>> Hello. I am John J. Nooney, Jacksonville

1:54:37City Council Resolution 2023-0819.

1:54:40I'm in City Council District 4.

1:54:42Uh CPAC 3, School Board District 3,

1:54:46and um

1:54:48All right. Uh this one,

1:54:51you know, uh again, I think it's

1:54:53Amendment 3 stuff, but we're going to

1:54:55update list of prohibited expenditures,

1:54:58you know, Chapter 118, City Grants,

1:55:01and the purchase or lease of a motor

1:55:03vehicle.

1:55:04So, um

1:55:06it's in rules neighborhoods finance,

1:55:08which is good. But, uh

1:55:11my my thing too is going to be, you

1:55:13know, uh I think of 2025-0522,

1:55:16the electric vehicle, you know, that was

1:55:18forward. But, uh anyways, it's going to

1:55:21be all with the fleets, you know, the

1:55:22independent authorities. I mean, it just

1:55:24sounds like some really big stuff. So,

1:55:27uh anyway, I just wanted to get that on

1:55:29the record. Thank you.

1:55:31>> I have no more speaker cards on 756.

1:55:33>> Public hearing is closed.

1:55:34>> Item 36, 2026-778, I have one speaker

1:55:37card, John Nooney.

1:55:48Mr. Nooney?

1:55:52>> All right, so

1:55:53>> cards on 778. Turning to page now to

1:55:55item uh page 19, item 37, 2026-780.

1:55:59I have two speaker cards, Cornell Oliver

1:56:02and Jimmy Travis Leonard.

1:56:18>> Good evening, City Council. My name is

1:56:19Jamie Travis Leonard. My address is on

1:56:21file. Uh I come up in tentative support

1:56:24of 26780.

1:56:26I recognize that this is to try and get

1:56:29JTA out of the hole that they found

1:56:31themselves in,

1:56:33of which our mayor has some

1:56:34responsibility, but also so does our

1:56:37governor, since four appointments come

1:56:39from him.

1:56:40So, when we're looking at how to address

1:56:43the issues we have with JTA,

1:56:45I think that that needs to

1:56:49be reinforced

1:56:50and

1:56:52continue to try and find better ways to

1:56:55increase our transportation. We That

1:56:56route's got cut. It's really bad. I'm

1:56:58hoping that

1:57:00continuing to have the gas tax, or

1:57:03excuse me, to the changes being made to

1:57:05the gas tax will address some of the

1:57:07affordability issues that they're

1:57:08having. Thank you.

1:57:11>> Next, we have Carnell Oliver.

1:57:14>> Uh yes, my name is Carnell Oliver.

1:57:16Address is on file. Look, um I was in

1:57:19here at last Friday's meeting, but I

1:57:21took the time to look at the minutes

1:57:23because there was a whole lot of

1:57:25media outrage over the concept of toll

1:57:28roads. And when I

1:57:30look back and I look at the minutes,

1:57:32they were just basically giving you a

1:57:33historical standpoint of the authority

1:57:36that JTA has. For me as a person,

1:57:38personally me,

1:57:41I want to I want to I want to see if JTA

1:57:44can explore the idea, personally me. I'm

1:57:46not speaking for the agency.

1:57:48I'm speaking in a in the sense of

1:57:51let's look at some of our key

1:57:54commerce corridors, the main bridges in

1:57:56our community. Let's tax the

1:58:00Excuse my language, the hell out of

1:58:02people who come into this community and

1:58:03destroy our infrastructure, destroy our

1:58:06quality of life.

1:58:08And for me, and by me taking that

1:58:09position, I want to put a tax exemption

1:58:12on people are from here locally.

1:58:15They have the necessary resources at

1:58:16their disposal to maintain the basic

1:58:20transportation services. But, there's

1:58:23one particular city council member

1:58:25that's not here today. He has made a

1:58:27consistent argument about the Emerald

1:58:30Trail.

1:58:31And he wants to keep that split with

1:58:33dollars.

1:58:34I agree with what um city council member

1:58:37from district two said. JTA has their

1:58:40own lane.

1:58:41Right?

1:58:42He said it out of out of his mouth.

1:58:44Their jurisdiction and what they do

1:58:47is that their job is to provide transit

1:58:50services, not to build parks.

1:58:53With your end

1:58:55of the 3% with the 3-3 split,

1:58:58is that it's your responsibility to deal

1:59:01with the Emerald Trail. Free up their

1:59:03resources so that they can get their

1:59:05services back up to compliance.

1:59:09And let's explore other revenue service

1:59:11sources.

1:59:13I'm trying to be up front.

1:59:15The The The comments that have been put

1:59:17out there by the media is is is

1:59:20misinformation,

1:59:22and they've got the public in a complete

1:59:24or uproars uproars

1:59:26up rage,

1:59:28which should not be a part of the

1:59:30discussion.

1:59:31We need to talk about innovation.

1:59:34How do we can bring in more revenues

1:59:37without impacting or hurting our

1:59:39residents here.

1:59:41You know, because um

1:59:44I'm going to say this.

1:59:46I believe in capitalism

1:59:48because through the 1866 Civil Rights

1:59:50Act,

1:59:51I can turn capitalism into socialism

1:59:54because you don't know how my mind

1:59:56works.

1:59:56>> All right, let's stick to the bill.

1:59:59>> And the thing about it is is that I know

2:00:01I know how to pull things

2:00:04out of nowhere.

2:00:06And what I'm going to say is that I want

2:00:09more money to come in here, and I know

2:00:11the laws to use to get what I want to

2:00:13serve the people.

2:00:17>> Mr. Vice President, I have one more

2:00:18speaker card, John Nooney.

2:00:24>> Hello. I am John J. Nooney, Jacksonville

2:00:27City Council Resolution 2023-0819,

2:00:318356 Bascom Road, Jacksonville, Florida

2:00:3332216.

2:00:36Uh you know, with this local option, you

2:00:40know, gas tax, you know, I marked on

2:00:41there

2:00:42no.

2:00:44You You You

2:00:45we're we're just broke. You know, last

2:00:47night I was just going to pull it out,

2:00:50but you know, I went to the CPAC.

2:00:51>> Mr. Mooney, that's not on the bill.

2:00:53Please stick to the bill.

2:00:54>> Well, you know, I

2:00:57JTA used to go to the CPAC.

2:00:59>> Warning number one.

2:01:00>> Huh?

2:01:00>> Warning number one. Stick to the bill.

2:01:03>> Well,

2:01:06All right.

2:01:08All right. Um

2:01:14You know, I've

2:01:17been to those You know, again,

2:01:20as far as JTA, this money

2:01:24should immediately go

2:01:26to restoring the bus routes.

2:01:31And

2:01:32you should just send out If anyone has a

2:01:35bus,

2:01:37and I think, you know, you heard it.

2:01:40You know, there there is all these

2:01:42different agreements over the years that

2:01:45have been just created. But, uh just

2:01:48open You want to create jobs? You have a

2:01:51bus? Bring it here.

2:01:54And

2:01:55you know, uh

2:01:59And that whoever that independent

2:02:02um

2:02:04bus

2:02:05route would be.

2:02:08You know, you You know, there's

2:02:09legislation with the DIA. You know,

2:02:12where you're You know, creating just

2:02:15zones, areas.

2:02:18You know, the biggest thing

2:02:20is to restore

2:02:23the transportation.

2:02:26That is the That is the biggest thing.

2:02:29So, I would take that money and just

2:02:31say, "You know what? We're We're really

2:02:34looking at this immediately.

2:02:37And we're going to be creating jobs

2:02:39throughout the country, you know? Forget

2:02:41the wagon train, you know, bring a bring

2:02:43your bring a bus. Doesn't matter, you

2:02:47know, uh

2:02:49and that

2:02:51you know, would be

2:02:54I think one of the best national

2:02:57searches you could just do.

2:03:00And, you know, bring people in.

2:03:03And so, uh

2:03:05that's I just want to have that on the

2:03:06record

2:03:08for that.

2:03:09>> I have no more

2:03:09>> Speaker cards on 780.

2:03:11>> Public hearing is closed.

2:03:12>> Move the emergency.

2:03:15>> Okay, we have a motion and second on the

2:03:16emergency. All in favor of the emergency

2:03:18signify by saying I.

2:03:19>> I.

2:03:19>> Any opposed? The emergency carries.

2:03:21>> Move the amendment.

2:03:22>> Second.

2:03:23>> Motion and second on the amendment. No

2:03:25one in the queue. All in favor of the

2:03:27amendment signify by saying I.

2:03:28>> I.

2:03:28>> Any opposed? The amendment carries.

2:03:30>> Move the bill as an emergency as

2:03:32amended.

2:03:33>> We have a motion on the bill as an

2:03:34emergency as amended. Council member

2:03:35Salem, you're recognized.

2:03:37>> Thank you, Mr. President. Before I say

2:03:40what I want to say, I want to deal with

2:03:41this issue of tolls because this was a

2:03:45bad case of journalism

2:03:48that created this problem. Those of us

2:03:52that were in the room that day, that

2:03:54heard the presentation, understood it

2:03:56was a historical presentation.

2:03:59I was here, Council member Miller was

2:04:01here, Council Vice President Joe

2:04:03Carlucci were here. We heard the

2:04:05presentation. There was no concern on

2:04:08our part.

2:04:09We would have said something if we were

2:04:11concerned.

2:04:13Cleveland Ferguson was attacked

2:04:16inappropriately all weekend. He deserves

2:04:19an apology from the media for that,

2:04:22which he'll probably never get.

2:04:24But, it was very unfair, and I want to

2:04:28put that on the record. That's number

2:04:30one.

2:04:32This $30 million today is the the

2:04:34beginning of a process.

2:04:37I support it. We all should support it.

2:04:39We really have no choice.

2:04:43JTA is really I hate to say it in a

2:04:45death spiral. When you're borrowing

2:04:46money to pay bills, you're in a death

2:04:48spiral.

2:04:50You really are.

2:04:51So, we need to support this.

2:04:53And with the help of our council

2:04:55auditors,

2:04:58we need to identify

2:05:00exactly what happened. I think that's

2:05:02extremely important to this community.

2:05:04When the When the numbers began to go

2:05:07south,

2:05:09who was in charge when it went south?

2:05:11Who put together the the budget that was

2:05:15grossly inflated? We need to understand

2:05:18those issues and hopefully, through the

2:05:20leadership of Councilwoman Miller and

2:05:21our committee, we will get to the bottom

2:05:24of that.

2:05:26We need to determine how we reorganized

2:05:28JTA. What functions should they be

2:05:30Should they be performing and which ones

2:05:32they should not?

2:05:35We need to determine

2:05:37the Emerald Trail.

2:05:38How does it factor into all this?

2:05:41But first, we need to stabilize the

2:05:43business and get basic transportation

2:05:47online. Get the bus routes reinstated.

2:05:52All of us can get in a car in the

2:05:54morning,

2:05:55start our car, go to work. We don't

2:05:57think two two seconds about it.

2:06:01As I drive in from work in Arlington in

2:06:03particular, I pass all sorts of bus uh

2:06:08stations

2:06:09where people are waiting for a bus to

2:06:11get to work, to get to get to school,

2:06:13whatever it is. And they've been

2:06:15impacted

2:06:17more than anybody has been. And we need

2:06:19to get those reinstated.

2:06:21Uh we need to make sure the paratransit

2:06:23services are good and make sure the

2:06:26ferry runs appropriately, and then we

2:06:28can deal with the other things that

2:06:30they're doing. So, let's pass this

2:06:32tonight.

2:06:34Give uh Randall Barnes the tools to make

2:06:37the right decisions and move forward.

2:06:40Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

2:06:42>> All right, thank you. Next, we have

2:06:44Councilman McGhee. You're recognized.

2:06:46>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I agree

2:06:48with Dr. Salem on on a lot of those

2:06:51issues and uh

2:06:53uh

2:06:54in in finance committee a while back, I

2:06:56was, you know, very clear about uh Barn

2:07:00the luck the line of credit that was

2:07:02just red flags of of uh uh failing

2:07:05business practices. So, yes, I want to

2:07:08see the JTA Let's Let's get the down-

2:07:11downsizing,

2:07:13uh making cuts back to a Let's Let's

2:07:16Let's get back to reality and to where,

2:07:19you know, we we have a functioning bus

2:07:23service that where we can get our

2:07:25citizens that need this service to be

2:07:28able to get to their jobs. Cutting

2:07:29routes, uh

2:07:31it increasing times is not what our

2:07:34community needs, not what our businesses

2:07:36need. Our There are so many businesses

2:07:38that depend on these this bus service.

2:07:42And so, it and

2:07:45you know, with that

2:07:47that that's just

2:07:49uh

2:07:49getting back to what the

2:07:52JTA is is supposed to be doing, and

2:07:54that's providing a transportation for

2:07:56our community.

2:07:58Let's get Let's get away from building

2:08:00roads and all these other projects and

2:08:03uh

2:08:03these Just get back to reality. Uh

2:08:07Get Quit living the high life and and

2:08:10let's start being more responsible with

2:08:12our dollars over there to where we can

2:08:16uh be be back effective. Uh

2:08:19Yes, I'm going to support this, but it's

2:08:22one of these you just got to uh

2:08:24We have no choice. Uh unfortunately,

2:08:26we're put in this position, but uh

2:08:29uh I'll be

2:08:31hold my nose and and supporting this.

2:08:33Thank you.

2:08:35>> Council member Palumbo, you're

2:08:36recognized.

2:08:38>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I wasn't

2:08:39sure if I was going to speak either, but

2:08:40I want to echo the sentiments of Council

2:08:41member Salem and Gay. I couldn't agree

2:08:44more. We are in this position and

2:08:46it's unfortunate that we are, but we do

2:08:48need to vote this bill up. I've

2:08:49supported it in committees and I'll

2:08:50support it now.

2:08:52Um but I will say as we look at the

2:08:54future of JTA, we need to consider a few

2:08:56things and I think that you all know my

2:08:58position on some of these items.

2:09:00Uh the NAVY needs to die.

2:09:03It needs to go. I've been talking about

2:09:04it as I campaigned. I've been talking

2:09:07about it as a council member in which

2:09:08the NAVY is the only part is the only

2:09:11part of the city where the NAVY operates

2:09:12in District 7.

2:09:14It's costing JTA way too much money.

2:09:15It's costing a taxpayer too much money.

2:09:17It's completely unnecessary. The

2:09:18autonomous vehicle experiment is not

2:09:21something that the city of Jacksonville

2:09:22or JTA should be investing its money

2:09:24into. It just isn't.

2:09:27Good, reliable, efficient, quick

2:09:29transportation and transit should be the

2:09:32goal of JTA. Innovation should not.

2:09:35It is not meant to be an incubator. It

2:09:37is not meant It is not meant to be

2:09:40an R&D operator. It's not.

2:09:44And our taxpayer dollars shouldn't be

2:09:45going to it at the level that it is. You

2:09:47want to put a few pilot programs out

2:09:49there for a couple million bucks and we

2:09:51believe that there's a good ROI, I get

2:09:52it. But tens and hundreds of millions of

2:09:54dollars in programs that people don't

2:09:56use. I literally saw somebody drive a

2:09:58NAVY today. He was using his hands.

2:10:00Now, I don't know about you, but that's

2:10:01not autonomous to me. That's certainly

2:10:03not in the best interest of the

2:10:05taxpayer.

2:10:06Um I just hope that my colleagues

2:10:08finally hear my pleas. I've been talking

2:10:10about this for many, many years.

2:10:12You too see the NAVY and needs to go.

2:10:15Um in regards to the Emerald Trail,

2:10:18Emerald Trail is a different story. It's

2:10:19been nothing but successful and as we

2:10:21talk about red lining, and as we talk

2:10:23about these historic neighborhoods that

2:10:25have been ignored,

2:10:26the Emerald Trail provides much-needed

2:10:28investment and capital into these

2:10:30neighborhoods and connects them with the

2:10:32downtown area, where we've invested a

2:10:34ton of cash

2:10:35in terms of parks and public amenities.

2:10:37We need to ensure that these communities

2:10:39are able to get down here.

2:10:41The Emerald Trail's been quite

2:10:42successful in the parts of the city that

2:10:44it's been opened in. As we talk about

2:10:46flooding,

2:10:48we talk about

2:10:50Uh over the past several days, I'm I'm

2:10:53sure many of you have gotten emails, but

2:10:55we see Hogan's Creek

2:10:57uh right here in downtown, you know,

2:10:59flooding all over.

2:11:01If the Emerald Trail project were to

2:11:02continue the way it's supposed to, all

2:11:04that would be mitigated. All of it would

2:11:06now be

2:11:09go back to its natural state, and we'll

2:11:11be able to have a trail that people

2:11:12could connect to these new parks and to

2:11:14our downtown area.

2:11:16So, the Emerald Trail needs to stay. I

2:11:17understand if we want to look at it a

2:11:19little bit more holistically, I

2:11:20understand that. But, when it comes to

2:11:22the autonomous vehicles, they need to

2:11:23go. And JTA knows my position on that.

2:11:26Now all of you do as well. But, let's

2:11:27vote this up and let's hope that we can

2:11:29get JTA on the right footing.

2:11:32>> All right, thank you, Council member

2:11:33Areas, you're recognized.

2:11:35>> All right, thank you, Mr. Vice

2:11:36President. And um I tell you, I spoke uh

2:11:39briefly about this, but my biggest uh

2:11:41takeaway was the fact that uh not only

2:11:43are we losing jobs, we're losing routes.

2:11:45And today I got an email, as many of you

2:11:46did, a newsletter from JTA, which kind

2:11:48of detailed exactly which routes are

2:11:50being cut. And out of those routes,

2:11:52you're looking at route 18, which has 56

2:11:54stops, route 25 has 38 stops, and route

2:11:5632 has 58 stops. Uh the one that

2:11:59concerns me is route 32, because that

2:12:01one of those stops is Kent campus. And

2:12:03so, we're talking about jobs, but also

2:12:04taking our students, our future leaders

2:12:07to school is a big impact to our

2:12:09community. So, um

2:12:11there's like Council member Putney said,

2:12:12we are where we're at right now. We have

2:12:14to vote this up. We have no choice.

2:12:16However, um I know JTA's here in the

2:12:18audience and I hope that you guys are

2:12:19listening to this and and understand

2:12:21that we need to bring not only these

2:12:22routes back, but the jobs first because

2:12:24we lost 200 plus employees

2:12:27at a time where honestly the holiday

2:12:28season is coming up right now. In order

2:12:30to get these routes back, we need to

2:12:31bring these jobs back. So, I would love

2:12:32to encourage more conversations between

2:12:35you guys and us. I know that we have a

2:12:36committee, but we need to get to work on

2:12:38this in a timely manner because

2:12:40ultimately these are lives that we're

2:12:42impacting in our city and not just

2:12:43lives, but also the the community itself

2:12:46coming together. So, please I urge you

2:12:48guys to please bring these jobs back.

2:12:49Thank you.

2:12:51>> All right, we have no other speakers in

2:12:53the queue. Uh so, with that we have a

2:12:58motion on the bill as an emergency as

2:12:59amended. Open the ballot, record your

2:13:01vote.

2:13:14>> 15 yay, zero nays.

2:13:16>> By your action you've approved 2026-780.

2:13:22>> Now it's time, Mr. President. Now it's

2:13:24time, Vice President. It's now it's time

2:13:25for public hearings on land use

2:13:26amendments, companion rezonings, and

2:13:28modifications to the comp plan beginning

2:13:30on

2:13:31page 20.

2:13:33Um 2026-647,

2:13:36I have no speaker card, so I will move

2:13:38the amendment.

2:13:39>> Wait, public hearing's closed.

2:13:41>> Now I move the amendment.

2:13:43>> All right, we have a motion and a second

2:13:44on the amendment. No speakers in the

2:13:46queue, all in favor of the amendment

2:13:47signify by saying aye. Any opposed, the

2:13:49amendment carries.

2:13:50>> Move the bill as amended.

2:13:52>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:13:53bill as amended. No speakers in the

2:13:54queue, open the ballot, record your

2:13:55vote.

2:14:05>> 15 yay, zero nays.

2:14:07>> By your action you've approved 2026-647.

2:14:10>> Item 29, 2026-648,

2:14:12I have one speaker card, Hayden

2:14:14Phillips, questions only.

2:14:16>> Public hearing's closed.

2:14:17>> Move the bill.

2:14:18>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:14:19bill. No one in the queue. Open the

2:14:21ballot, record your vote.

2:14:29>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:14:31>> By your action, you have approved

2:14:322026-648.

2:14:34>> Item number 40, 2026-649. I have no

2:14:36speaker cards.

2:14:37>> Public hearing's closed.

2:14:38>> Move the bill.

2:14:39>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:14:40bill. No one in the queue. Open the

2:14:42ballot, record your vote.

2:14:54>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:14:56>> By your action, you have approved

2:14:572026-649.

2:14:58>> Item 41, 2026-650.

2:15:01I have no speaker cards.

2:15:02>> Public hearing's closed.

2:15:03>> Move the bill.

2:15:04>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:15:05bill. No one in the queue. Open the

2:15:07ballot, record your vote.

2:15:25>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:15:27>> By your action, you have approved

2:15:272026-650.

2:15:29>> Item 42, 2026-651.

2:15:31I have no speaker cards.

2:15:33>> Public hearing's closed.

2:15:33>> Move the bill.

2:15:34>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:15:35bill. No speakers in the queue. Open the

2:15:37ballot, record your vote.

2:15:46>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:15:48>> By your action, you have approved

2:15:492026-651.

2:15:51>> Turning to page 22, 43. Item 43,

2:15:532026-652. I have no speaker cards.

2:15:56>> Public hearing's closed.

2:15:57>> Move the bill.

2:15:58>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:15:59bill. No speakers in the queue. I'll

2:16:01open the ballot, record your vote.

2:16:12>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:16:14>> By your action, you've approved

2:16:152026-652.

2:16:16>> Item 44, 2026-653.

2:16:19I have no speaker cards.

2:16:20>> This public hearing is continued until

2:16:2110:27:26.

2:16:23>> Item 45, 2026-654.

2:16:26I have one speaker card, John Jeff Rude.

2:16:29Rude. Jeff Rude?

2:16:33Don't see Mr. Rude.

2:16:38>> All right. This public hearing is

2:16:39continued until 10:27:26.

2:16:41>> Questions only. Thank you.

2:16:43Turning the page. Item number 46,

2:16:462026-655.

2:16:48I have no speaker cards.

2:16:49>> Public hearing is closed.

2:16:50>> Move the bill.

2:16:51>> Motion and a second on the bill. No

2:16:53speakers in the queue. Open the ballot.

2:16:54Record your vote.

2:17:04>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:17:06>> By your action, you've approved

2:17:072026-655.

2:17:08>> Item 47, 2026-656.

2:17:11I have no speaker cards.

2:17:13>> Public hearing is closed.

2:17:14>> Move the amendment.

2:17:16>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:17:17amendment. All in favor of the

2:17:18amendment, signify by saying "Aye." Any

2:17:20opposed? The amendment carries.

2:17:22>> Move the bill as amended.

2:17:24>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:17:25bill as amended. No speakers in the

2:17:27queue. Open the ballot. Record your

2:17:28vote.

2:17:36>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:17:38>> By your action, you've approved

2:17:392026-656.

2:17:41>> Item number 48, 2026-689.

2:17:43I have no speaker cards.

2:17:45>> Public hearing is closed. There will be

2:17:46additional public hearing on 10:27:26.

2:17:49>> Turn the page 24, items 49, 50, and 51.

2:17:52690, 691, and 692. I have no speaker

2:17:56cards.

2:17:57>> All these public hearings are closed.

2:17:58There will be additional public hearings

2:17:59on 10:27:26.

2:18:01>> Item number 52, 2026 693. I have no

2:18:05speaker cards.

2:18:06>> Public hearing is closed. There will be

2:18:07an additional public hearing on

2:18:0810/27/26.

2:18:10>> Mr. Vice President, as it happens, there

2:18:11are no third reading resolutions today,

2:18:14so we move on to the ordinances

2:18:15beginning on page 26.

2:18:17For members of the audience, these bills

2:18:19have already had their public hearings

2:18:21with final committee reports and are now

2:18:23ready for full council action.

2:18:25Our first item is number 53, 2026 523. I

2:18:29move the amendment.

2:18:30>> All right. We have a motion and a second

2:18:32on the amendment. No one in the queue.

2:18:34All in favor of the amendment signify by

2:18:35saying I.

2:18:36Any opposed? The amendment carries.

2:18:38>> Move the bill to be referred as amended.

2:18:41>> All right. We have a motion and a second

2:18:43on the bill to be re-referred as

2:18:44amended. No one in the queue. Open the

2:18:46ballot. Record your vote.

2:18:55>> 15 yay, zero nays.

2:18:57>> By your action, you have re-referred

2:18:592026 523.

2:19:01>> Page 27, item 54, 2026 673. I move the

2:19:04withdrawal.

2:19:05>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:19:07withdrawal. No one in the queue. Open

2:19:10the ballot. Record your vote.

2:19:19>> 15 yay, zero nays.

2:19:21>> By your action, you have withdrawn 2026

2:19:22673.

2:19:23>> Page 28, item 55, 2026 698. I move the

2:19:26amendment.

2:19:27>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:19:29amendment. No one in the queue. All in

2:19:30favor of the amendment signify by saying

2:19:32I. Any opposed? The amendment carries.

2:19:34>> Move the bill as amended.

2:19:35>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:19:36bill as amended. No speakers in the

2:19:38queue. Open the ballot. Record your

2:19:40vote.

2:19:49>> 15 yay, zero nays.

2:19:51>> By your action, you have approved 2026

2:19:53698.

2:19:54>> Page 29, item 56, 2026 700. I move the

2:19:57bill.

2:19:57>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:19:59bill. No one in the queue. Open the

2:20:01ballot. Record your vote.

2:20:21>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:20:22>> By your action, you've approved

2:20:232026-700.

2:20:25>> Item 57, 2026-701. I move the amendment.

2:20:29>> All right, we have a motion and a second

2:20:30on the amendment. No one in the queue.

2:20:32All in favor of the amendment, signify

2:20:33by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The

2:20:35amendment carries.

2:20:36>> Move the bill as amended.

2:20:37>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:20:38bill as amended. No one in the queue.

2:20:40Open the ballot. Record your vote.

2:20:49>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:20:51>> By your action, you've approved

2:20:522026-701.

2:20:53>> Page 30, item 58, 2026-702. I move the

2:20:56amendment.

2:20:57>> All right, we have a motion and a second

2:20:58on the amendment.

2:21:00No one in the queue. All in favor of the

2:21:01amendment, signify by saying aye. Aye.

2:21:03Any opposed? The amendment carries.

2:21:05>> Move the bill as amended.

2:21:06>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:21:07bill as amended. No one in the queue.

2:21:08Open the ballot. Record your vote.

2:21:18>> 15 yay, 0 nay.

2:21:20>> By your action, you've approved

2:21:212026-702.

2:21:23>> Item 59, 2026-706. I move the amendment.

2:21:26>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:21:27amendment. All in favor of the

2:21:28amendment, signify by saying aye. Any

2:21:30opposed? The amendment carries.

2:21:32>> Move the bill as amended.

2:21:33>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:21:34bill as amended.

2:21:36No one in the queue. Open the ballot.

2:21:37Record your vote.

2:21:48>> 14 yay, 1 nay.

2:21:50>> By your action, you've approved

2:21:51706.

2:21:53>> Turn to page 31, item 60, 2026, 707. I

2:21:56move the amendment.

2:21:57>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:21:58amendment. No one in the queue. All in

2:22:00favor of the amendment signify by saying

2:22:01aye. Any opposed? The amendment carries.

2:22:03>> Move the bill as amended.

2:22:04>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:22:05bill as amended.

2:22:07No one in the queue. Open the ballot.

2:22:08Record your vote.

2:22:27>> 15 yes, zero nays.

2:22:29>> By direction you approved, 2026, 707.

2:22:32>> Item 61, 2026, 709. Move the bill.

2:22:36>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:22:37bill. No one in the queue. Open the

2:22:38ballot. Record your vote.

2:22:46We said open the ballot so we can record

2:22:48our vote.

2:22:51Trying to cook over here, man. What you

2:22:52doing?

2:22:55It's your party.

2:22:56I'm out of here.

2:22:58>> 13 yes, two nays.

2:23:01>> By direction you have approved, 2026,

2:23:02709.

2:23:03>> Page 32, item number 62, 2026, 721. I

2:23:07move the amendment.

2:23:08>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:23:09amendment. No speakers on

2:23:11the queue. All in favor of the amendment

2:23:13signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?

2:23:15The amendment carries.

2:23:16>> Move the bill as amended.

2:23:18>> Yep. All right, we have a motion and a

2:23:20second on the bill. Ms. Clark-Murray,

2:23:22you're recognized.

2:23:26>> I just want to make sure that this is

2:23:28just a regular vote um through the chair

2:23:31to Mr. Topolous. This is just up or

2:23:33down, right?

2:23:34Because it failed in practically all of

2:23:37the committees.

2:23:39>> Through the vice president to

2:23:40Councilmember Clark-Murray. So, yes,

2:23:42it's up or down. Now, if the bill were

2:23:43to be approved, there's an issue with

2:23:45the funding source. So, we'll just see

2:23:48how the result goes, but yes, it's a

2:23:50straight up or down. So, if you are in

2:23:52favor of it as amended, you would vote

2:23:53yes, and if you're not in favor, you

2:23:54would vote no.

2:23:56>> Thank you.

2:23:58>> All right. Have we Do we have a Is it

2:24:00set for the ballot?

2:24:02All right.

2:24:04What's that?

2:24:05>> Bill's moved as amended.

2:24:06>> All right. Open the ballot, record your

2:24:07vote.

2:24:11Yeah, right.

2:24:23>> 1 yay, 14 nays.

2:24:25>> By your action, you have

2:24:27denied 2026 721.

2:24:30>> Page 63 2026 740. Move the amendment.

2:24:33>> All right. We have a motion second on

2:24:34the amendment. All in favor of the

2:24:35amendment signify by saying aye. Any

2:24:37opposed? The amendment carries.

2:24:39>> Move the bill as amended.

2:24:40>> We have a motion and second on the bill

2:24:41as amended. No one in the queue. Open

2:24:42the ballot, record your vote.

2:24:54>> 15 yays, zero nays.

2:24:56>> By your action, you have approved 2026

2:24:57740.

2:25:00>> It's now time for the reading

2:25:02resolutions and ordinances beginning on

2:25:04uh second reading ordi- ordinances and

2:25:06resolutions beginning on page 34. Mr.

2:25:09Till, would you please read the bills?

2:25:11>> 2026 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764,

2:25:18765,

2:25:20770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777,

2:25:282026 741, 42, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746,

2:25:35and 779.

2:25:39>> Mr. uh Vice President, we have a number

2:25:41of public participation cards related to

2:25:43specific items, so I will call up the

2:25:45individuals to speak on each of these.

2:25:47First one is item

2:25:49uh, 65 2026759.

2:25:52I have one speaker card, John Nooney,

2:25:54does not wish to speak,

2:25:56but supports it.

2:25:59Then we have

2:26:01item number uh, 2026762,

2:26:05which is 68. Again,

2:26:08um,

2:26:09Mr. Nooney, I believe he does want to

2:26:11speak to this one.

2:26:17>> Hello. I am John J. Nooney, 8356 Bascom

2:26:21Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32216.

2:26:24City Council District 4 seat pack 3

2:26:27school board district 3. Yeah, this one.

2:26:32I'll tell you, go to a true commission

2:26:33meeting. I'll tell you, you know, this

2:26:35is, you know, uh, you want the gavel

2:26:37award, you know, uh, I mean, pull up the

2:26:40tape, but uh, conferring, you know,

2:26:43Blake Bass, you know, at the last true

2:26:44commission. You know, he's introducing

2:26:47tier

2:26:48stuff, which is going to be just

2:26:50awesome.

2:26:52And uh, so anyway, now I'm in uh, full

2:26:55support. And um, I just wanted to,

2:26:59you know, you know, just go back and

2:27:00just watch those meetings. Taxation

2:27:03revenue, utilization of expenditures,

2:27:06the power that that commission has to

2:27:10investigate

2:27:12anything and everything is unbelievable.

2:27:16And so, I've been going to them for

2:27:18years, but uh, with this appointment,

2:27:20and uh, and I'll speak to the next one

2:27:22as well. Thank you very much.

2:27:27>> I have no more speaker cards, and now

2:27:28I'm moving on now to number 2022764.

2:27:32Mr. Nooney, you filled out two cards,

2:27:34both of them for 764. Did you want to

2:27:36speak to 763 as well?

2:27:39Both cards say 764.

2:27:40>> Well, I have Yes, I 763 and 764. Yes, uh

2:27:45my name's John Nooney. Uh

2:27:47name and address is on file. Now, this

2:27:49one, too.

2:27:52I mean, go to a true I mean, you get the

2:27:54gavel award when you go to that meeting.

2:27:56And uh so, anyway, this is uh

2:28:00uh the re- re-appointment of Scooter

2:28:02Bar, you know, and uh with the true

2:28:05commission. And uh I mean, just go back

2:28:08and watch the tapes on these.

2:28:10He brought back,

2:28:12you know, uh

2:28:14really public

2:28:16participation at the meetings. I mean,

2:28:18it's It was out of control with with the

2:28:21way uh

2:28:24you know, uh

2:28:26the participation was.

2:28:28But, uh no, I'm in full support. Good

2:28:31stuff. And uh I just wanted to have just

2:28:34wanted to be on the record for that.

2:28:37>> Next item, Mr. Vice President, next item

2:28:39number 70, 2026-764.

2:28:41Again, one speaker card, John Nooney.

2:28:47Mr. Nooney.

2:28:53>> All right.

2:28:55Um yeah, my name's John J. Nooney,

2:28:57Jacksonville City Council Resolution

2:28:592023-0819,

2:29:018356 Bascom Rd, Jacksonville, Florida

2:29:0432216.

2:29:05When City District 4 C-PAC, Planning

2:29:08District 3, School Board District 3.

2:29:11This is a resolution reappointing

2:29:12Elizabeth Payne, a Duval County

2:29:15resident, as a member of the

2:29:17uh Health Council of Northeast Florida

2:29:19as a provider.

2:29:21You know, um

2:29:23and no, I'm in full support, but she's

2:29:25also the

2:29:26the head of the Northeast Florida

2:29:28Regional Council.

2:29:29And so, that falls under

2:29:33you know, the jurisdictional

2:29:35oversight. So, uh I just wanted to, you

2:29:39know, be on the record for that. And you

2:29:41know, I was just in Clay County. They

2:29:43just had a presentation, Tyler Nolan,

2:29:45with the Northeast Florida Regional

2:29:46Council. So, anyway, you know, it's good

2:29:49stuff. There's 10 regional councils, you

2:29:51know, throughout the state of Florida.

2:29:54You know, the Northeast Florida Regional

2:29:55Council is seven counties. And so, you

2:29:58know, with this reappointment, I just

2:30:00wanted to be on the record and uh in

2:30:03full support.

2:30:05Thank you for listening. Next we have on

2:30:07item number

2:30:08tw- uh 72, 2026-7-7-0, Blake Harper. Mr.

2:30:13Harper.

2:30:14Mr. Harper.

2:30:23This is on 770.

2:30:30>> As always,

2:30:51so, the last time Blake Harper

2:30:53information on file, last time Donna

2:30:55Deegan put up somebody for the library,

2:30:57she called a con- a black conservative a

2:31:00token.

2:31:01I'd haven't looked into the backgrounds

2:31:03of these four that are in front now, but

2:31:05I want to talk to you about libraries in

2:31:08general.

2:31:10I want to ask each of you this question.

2:31:13Do you believe

2:31:15that any person

2:31:17of any age

2:31:19should be able to read anything?

2:31:23Any person of any age to read anything.

2:31:28Think about that. Do you want us an

2:31:308-year-old

2:31:32reading or watching Texas Chainsaw

2:31:34Massacre?

2:31:36Or reading watching Behind the Green

2:31:38Door or Debbie Does Dallas?

2:31:40Do you?

2:31:42The reality is that the American Library

2:31:44Association reaffirmed in 1996

2:31:49that age was part of their

2:31:52their notion that anybody of any age

2:31:55could read anything.

2:31:57So, in other words, since 1996, 30

2:32:00years, there's been a concerted effort

2:32:02to put adult content

2:32:05in front of children.

2:32:07How do you feel about that?

2:32:09How do you feel about the idea that

2:32:11somebody can take away the innocence and

2:32:14the childhood of somebody and impose

2:32:16upon them complex and difficult issues?

2:32:23Then second page you have

2:32:25is from 2019.

2:32:28The American Library Conference

2:32:31Subversive activism, creating social

2:32:33change through libraries and children's

2:32:35literature.

2:32:37So, what the American Library

2:32:38Association is doing is intentionally a

2:32:41show them how how to put books into

2:32:44libraries

2:32:45that intentionally violate what you and

2:32:48I understand as cultural norms and

2:32:50community standards. How do you feel

2:32:52about that?

2:32:54>> All right, Mr. Harper, we got to make

2:32:55sure we're on the bill, even though it's

2:32:56>> Well, I understand that. So, these are

2:32:58questions These are questions that you

2:33:01need to ask

2:33:02these people

2:33:04this particular individual and the next

2:33:07three

2:33:08you need to ask these questions

2:33:10about how they would approach these very

2:33:12significant issues

2:33:15with regards to the public libraries. I

2:33:17recommend that you look up a title.

2:33:20It's called It's Only Natural.

2:33:23And ask yourself if you want one of your

2:33:24children to read that book.

2:33:27Thank you very much.

2:33:29>> Don't go too far away, Mr. Harper.

2:33:30You're on for the next one as well.

2:33:312026771.

2:33:33>> Okay. And again, so what we're doing is

2:33:35I'm I'm trying to give you some

2:33:36understanding of the questions that you

2:33:38need to

2:33:39present to these people.

2:33:41So, John Stuart Mill

2:33:44wrote in

2:33:46Oh gosh, where is it?

2:33:49Pardon me for taking the time.

2:33:531859. It's perhaps necessary and hardly

2:33:55It's It is perhaps hardly necessary to

2:33:58say that this doctrine is meant to apply

2:33:59only to human beings in the maturity of

2:34:02their facilities. We are not speaking of

2:34:04children.

2:34:05So, again,

2:34:07we have to talk to these people,

2:34:09every one of them, about what they

2:34:11understand needs to be in the libraries.

2:34:14Again, it's Only Natural. Interesting

2:34:16thing about John Stuart Mill, he's

2:34:18considered

2:34:19>> got to you got to Less liberal. Less

2:34:20Less on the resume of this author. You

2:34:22got to speak to the applicant.

2:34:23>> So, I understand that. So, but the point

2:34:26is this.

2:34:28Libraries are the wellspring of

2:34:30knowledge.

2:34:32You do not have put uh sour water with

2:34:34sweet water. We need these children

2:34:37to have the best start in life.

2:34:39I would suggest that you talk to these

2:34:41people who are going to come on the

2:34:42board to make sure they're getting it.

2:34:44Thank you.

2:34:46>> Next, we have Mr. Noonan to speaking on

2:34:482026772.

2:34:51Mr. Noonan.

2:34:55He did not wish to speak. I apologize.

2:34:57Darn.

2:34:582026773, Mr. Noonan does not wish to

2:35:01speak, but he supports both of these

2:35:03nominations.

2:35:06With that, we finish public

2:35:07participation. Turn now to page 44 for

2:35:10item number 103, 2026831.

2:35:13>> I move the emergency.

2:35:15>> All right. We have a motion and a second

2:35:17on emergency. All in favor of the

2:35:18emergency signify by saying I.

2:35:20Any opposed? The emergency passes.

2:35:23>> I move the bill as an emergency.

2:35:25>> We have a motion and a second on the

2:35:26bill as an emergency.

2:35:28Councilman McGaffney, you're recognized.

2:35:30>> Yes, please ask me at Amiel's a

2:35:31co-sponsor.

2:35:32>> All right.

2:35:35>> Thank you.

2:35:36>> All right, we have

2:35:39Does someone want to move a council

2:35:40amendment?

2:35:42All right, motion second on a council

2:35:44amendment. All in favor of the council

2:35:45amendment signify by saying I. Any

2:35:47opposed? The amendment carries.

2:35:48>> Move the bill as an emergency as

2:35:50amended.

2:35:51>> Motion on the bill as an emergency as

2:35:53amended.

2:35:55No one in the queue. Open the ballot

2:35:56record your vote.

2:36:05>> 15 yay, zero nay.

2:36:07>> By direction you've approved 2026-831 as

2:36:09an emergency.

2:36:10>> Mr. Vice President, that concludes our

2:36:12business for the evening. We're ready

2:36:13for a roll call, announcements,

2:36:15adjournment, and prayer.

2:36:17>> Open the ballot for roll call.

2:36:27>> 15 present.

2:36:29>> All right, thank you. This meeting's

2:36:30adjourned and we will now go to the

2:36:33prayer and announcements. Or we'll do

2:36:35announcements and then prayer. What do

2:36:36we do?

2:36:39We're going to end in prayer. So, we're

2:36:41going to announcements.

2:36:44Anybody? Ms. Pittman.

2:36:48Go ahead, Ms. Pittman.

2:36:50Give the floor to the

2:36:51young lady first.

2:36:53>> It is an honor for me to wish

2:36:58Councilman

2:37:02Rao. His birthday is on October 16th and

2:37:06let's wish him a happy happy happy happy

2:37:10birthday.

2:37:11>> Who was it for?

2:37:12Who was it for?

2:37:13>> You ready?

2:37:14>> Okay.

2:37:14>> Y'all going to sing with me? Come on.

2:37:17Happy birthday

2:37:19to you.

2:37:22Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday,

2:37:28dear Al.

2:37:31Happy birthday

2:37:35to you.

2:37:37>> Happy birthday.

2:37:45>> All right. Is that it for the birthdays?

2:37:47All right. Council member Johnson,

2:37:49you're recognized.

2:37:51>> I lead sport supporting and

2:37:54carrying one of our former members

2:37:55forward. Such a beautiful ceremony.

2:37:58I rise however tonight not a somber

2:38:01occasion, but just for us to remember.

2:38:03I'm wearing pink today. As you know,

2:38:05it's obviously October, which is breast

2:38:06cancer awareness month.

2:38:08I try to remember, you know, there's

2:38:10power in a name.

2:38:11My survivor is my aunt Samantha and her

2:38:15grandmother, which is my

2:38:15great-grandmother, Emma Berry Williams

2:38:18Hughes, died in 1955 from breast cancer

2:38:21right there at 946 East Beaver Street

2:38:23near the fairgrounds.

2:38:25When I heard the story back then as a

2:38:27woman in the south, they just kind of

2:38:29set her there and waited until she

2:38:30passed away afflicted with breast

2:38:32cancer. Thank God we're living in a time

2:38:34when we don't have to do that anymore.

2:38:36So I want us to all remember.

2:38:38I'm going to try my best to wear as much

2:38:40pink as I can to remind people all the

2:38:41time that this is our opportunity for

2:38:44our community to help move things

2:38:47forward. As you know, our mayor, a

2:38:48three-time breast cancer survivor, and

2:38:50of course Ginny Blaylock over at the

2:38:52news

2:38:53was dealing with it as well. We can

2:38:55raise the money and I believe that we

2:38:57can do the work to ensure that this is

2:38:59something that we can eradicate in our

2:39:01generation. Thank you for supporting

2:39:03this effort. Whatever you do, make sure

2:39:04you remind people to not only get their

2:39:05mammograms and get tested, but let's

2:39:07raise money so that we can ensure that

2:39:09our loved ones continue to be loved on

2:39:11this

2:39:13>> All right. Thank you, Council member

2:39:14Pulos. You're recognized.

2:39:16>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I first

2:39:17want to say today is a very important

2:39:19day for those of us that are service

2:39:21members. It is the 251st birthday of the

2:39:24United States Navy, the world's finest

2:39:26navy. And obviously having two major

2:39:27naval installations and one very Yes,

2:39:31it's in It's not in Jacksonville. But

2:39:33yes, a third naval installation if you

2:39:35want to call it that for those

2:39:36submariners.

2:39:38It's It's a little bit north of us. But

2:39:40obviously very important um

2:39:42a branch of the military for the

2:39:44Jacksonville and the Duval region. So,

2:39:45happy birthday to the Navy. And lastly,

2:39:48congratulations to you, Mr. Vice

2:39:49President. You did an incredible job

2:39:50today stepping in your role.

2:39:53I I am only sorry that your father

2:39:55wasn't here to see it. But I'm But I'm

2:39:58like you, I'm sure you're very proud

2:39:59that your children and your wife was

2:40:00here to see it. So, congratulations to

2:40:02you. Many more to come next year, I'm

2:40:04sure of it. Thank you.

2:40:05>> All right. Thank you. Council member

2:40:07Bowling, you're recognized.

2:40:09>> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. You know,

2:40:10this is the closest I come to pink.

2:40:12But I did want to end it a sad note. My

2:40:15One of my sisters today, on the phone

2:40:17call we had this morning, they found a

2:40:18node in her breast.

2:40:20And the hard part is now waiting to find

2:40:23out if it's cancerous. So, I understand

2:40:25and so I ask you to keep my sister

2:40:27Selene in your prayers. Thank you.

2:40:29>> All right. We have no other speakers in

2:40:31the queue. Mr. Amaro, bring us on home.

2:40:42>> Gracious God, we thank you for

2:40:45for us allowing us to be able to

2:40:47assemble together and do the people's

2:40:49work.

2:40:50For reminding our hearts that we serve

2:40:53because we want to give back.

2:40:56We want to make a difference in our

2:40:57community. And so, we thank you for that

2:40:59opportunity for service.

2:41:01Thank you for all that has taken place

2:41:03this evening.

2:41:05Uh thank you for the ability to make a

2:41:07difference in someone's life.

2:41:09And God, in this prayer, we lift up Mr.

2:41:12Boyland's sister.

2:41:14Ask you to reach from heaven and touch

2:41:16her body.

2:41:18Heal her and deliver her.

2:41:20We lift up Council member Pittman's mom.

2:41:24Ask you to be with her

2:41:26on her bed and touch her body and heal

2:41:27her.

2:41:28As we depart from this place, we hope to

2:41:31never depart from your presence.

2:41:33Continue to cover our family members far

2:41:35and near.

2:41:36And we all pray in the name of Jesus.

2:41:39Amen.

2:41:41>> All right, that's it. Thank you

2:41:42everyone.