My apologies everyone. We had some special guests in the hall that I was out saying hi to. So, I'm sorry that we're starting a little bit late. Um, we will begin our uh regular city council meeting for Monday, May 5th with our opening ceremonies. And I'd like to invite uh Councilman Bruce Wers to lead
us through that. Please bow your heads. Gracious Lord, thank you for the gift of this today. Please bless our first responders. Keep them safe and keep all our community safe. Lord, we need
you. Lord, please give this honorable DAS the wisdom and guidance to do your will so our city can shine like a beacon on a hill. Amen.
Please stand for the pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Please be seated. Now, it is my great good pleasure to introduce the Weeblow's den from Cub Scout Pack 15, led by Mr. Smith, part of the North Florida
Council. These fourth grade scouts are building character, leadership, and a commitment to service. The Cub Scout program is built on a mission to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their
lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Their motto is do your best and that's exactly what they're doing. Please join me in welcoming the Weebo Sten from Pack 15 as I now invite them
to lead us in the Cub Scout oath and the Cub Scout law. [Music] [Applause] I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country to obey the scouting.
kind. Well done. You are excused. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, scouts. Thank you, Mr. Wowers, for organizing that special presentation. We're very glad to have you for as long as you guys are willing to stay. Uh we're happy to have you. I
will call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, roll call. Council member Council Member Golding here. Council member Horn here. Council member Jansen here. Council member Sutton here. Council member
Wagner. Council member Wowers here. Mayor Hoffman here. Moving to approval of minutes. I move that we approve the minutes from the regular city council meeting held on April 21st, 2025. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All
in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Item B. I move that we approve the minutes from the special council briefing held on April 28th, 2025. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Any opposed?
Motion carries. Approval of the agenda. I move to approve the agenda. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Announcements. Mr. Jansen. I went really quick. So, I only have one
fast one. So, fellow scouts, my son is in scouts and he is attending a scout meeting tonight at 700 p.m. where he has his board of review to become a life scout. So, he's one step away from Eagle and I'm very proud of him. I told him though that if the Eagle presentation
happens on the night of the city council, sorry, city of Jacksonville Beach, I'm going to that instead. That is an excused absence. That's it. Thank you. Congratulations to Coulson, Miss Golding. Thank you, mayor. Um, I have several announcements because
it's been rather busy the last couple of weeks. Just wanted to mention that a few of us went to the VLSC graduation that was held uh right before the beach's opening parade. And uh just want to recognize our amazing volunteers who um
who contribute to our life saving here at the beach. Um all because they care about our community and uh just want to welcome the new graduates um for that are that just graduated. And then also wanted to mention the beach's opening
parade was wonderful. If anybody didn't make it, you missed it. It was a great parade this year. And then this past Saturday, we had uh the Pause Park 20th anniversary celebration. This is our dog park here in J Beach. And for those of
you who may not know, it was the first public municipal dog park in Duval County to open 20 years ago. And uh I want to recognize Savannah who is here tonight. She works for our parks and recck department and she organized the
event. It was a great event. Thank you Savannah for everything that you did. I think all the people in pups had a great time. Uh also want to recognize the Hines family who was there. They're a family whose son used to go to the park.
His name is Josh and he was tragically murdered. Um and he loved going to the park. So, the family has poured their heart into the dog park in his memory and have made a lot of improvements to the dog park. They were there with
donuts and coffee and um they were also had an opportunity to say some things about Josh so that we could could remember him. Um and then also the participants enjoyed some really cute cookies. There were 20th anniversary dog
bandanas for the dogs and a lot of great vendors that participated in the event. So, thank you so much. Savannah, did you were you wanting to say something? Oh, okay. So, Savannah has gifts. She comes bearing gifts.
[Laughter] Technically, it is a human. Savannah actually wore her bandana. That was not a flight on the city manager. Um,
Mr. Horn needs to for sure. Oh boy. Cookies left over. Good morning. Are those pet cookies? No, those are people cookies. They're people cookies. Yes. So, again, thank you, Savannah, for for such a great job. Um, it was a fun
event and you did an amazing job. I also want to mention that our uh the next Beaches Watch meeting is this Wednesday and the topic is our beaches interlocal agreements um history of conflict and compromise. A
lot of people may not know what uh what has transpired over the years with regard to the interlocal agreements with Jacksonville and why we have what we have. And so, Bill Golerford and George Forbes, he was the city manager here in
Jacksonville Beach when the interlocal agreements were negotiated. They will be the guest speakers. It will be Wednesday at the beach's branch library at 7 o'clock. It will be a very very interesting meeting to hear all the
stories that they both have to tell and help us better understand uh where we are why how we got to where we are and there's going to be discussion about Ocean County as well which is should be very interesting and then I wanted to
mention that um the legislative session is over but it's not over but the good news is that several bills that we were concerned about the CRA bill, the accessory dwelling unit bill, the sovereign immunity bill, the local business tax bill, and the enterprise
enterprise fund transfer bill. They all died because they did not make it through to the end of the session. So, I would just like to recognize um Rep. Michael and Senator Yarro who both advocated for Jacksonville Beach the entire session.
um thanks to them and especially thanks to Senator Yarro. He kept some of these bills from actually going anywhere on the Senate side. So, um we I definitely want to shout out to both of them. Um and um look forward to continuing to
work with them in in the coming year because these bills are probably going to be coming back. I think that's all I have. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Goldie. Mr. Sutton. Thank you, Mayor. Um, second, a number of the things that Councilwoman Golding
mentioned. Uh, thanks to everyone that was able to attend the VLSC graduation last weekend. Um, very meaningful for that organization. And I believe there were four or five new uh recruits that graduated and uh they'll be uh starting
on the new uh summer class immediately. So, uh looking forward to that, even larger class hopefully. Um, let's see what else in the the parade. Obviously, um, we had good participation in the parade. Uh, Councilwoman Golding and I were voted
favorite um cart there. She and I were the only two to vote, but um, you know, it was uh, it was a good good time I think was had by all. And what a what a great weekend for uh, opening opening weekend with the weather. Today was the 27th annual Fishbait
Thompson golf tournament for the VLSC, which is one of their largest um fundraisers uh for the VLSC. And they had a capacity um showing, I think 36 teams or something like that. Um, we had
a number of council folks represented on teams and um, want to congratulate Councilman Wowers for coming in third out of the council teams that were represented. There were three teams. So,
um, in case you're in case you're counting, Bruce, that means you came in last. Um, big congratulations to Councilman Horn. He came in 36th place last year uh and got a trophy for that, believe it
or not. It was embarrassing, but he jumped all the way, seriously jumped all the way to the fourth place team this year. So, congratulations to your team and he got a closest to the pin today. So, I'm not sure what was going on, but um congratulations on that and uh
appreciate both y'all being there uh for for the for the great turnout. So, I think that's it. Do we even want to know where Councilman Sutton's team finished in this term? First last year. First last year. Yeah. Okay.
Got you. All right. Well, we came in fifth. So, congratulations, Councilman Horn, on being the top council team. You have a year to lord that over his head. We were right behind Councilman Wilders's team today. They were very um
deliberate. So, Mr. horn. Um, yeah, I was going to say, uh, I I will just comment a couple of things here. Yes. Um, if anybody understands the concept of a mulligan, uh, because it is a fundraiser, you can purchase these. I just want to say that
our team was very very focused on the fundraising efforts today. Uh, that did assist us in our in our efforts. Um, the, uh, the volunteer life saving corps um, I do I will say this, their class was a winner of 25. And one of the things that if you guys ever noticed I
was summer of 87 um when I joined and it's one of those things when you introduce yourself to somebody you give them your name and your year and we have a winter class and a summer class and sometimes there's a first and a second summer. So if you like you were mentioning earlier Sandy said yeah it's winner of 25. Uh super proud of them. I
think it was five. Um and um I also just want to say you guys with the Boy Scouts that is just awesome. It takes a lot to get up here. Super proud of you. super proud of everything you guys are doing and keep it up, okay? This is the lessons you're learning right now will
keep you through the rest of your life. And it's funny as you guys were up here giving your oath and saying your your pledge, I was watching some people in the crowd that were still mouthing that because even as adults, they still remember those things and it'll stick with you for the rest of your life. So, great job.
Thank you, Mr. Horn, Mr. Waters. Yes. I wanted to recognize Mr. Carlson for also here being here. Um, and I did want to make the record clear that we were honest in our scorekeeping. Thank you.
Never mentioned that that was one of the rules. What? What is it? Ignorance of the law is not a something like that. Um, we're not normally this froggy. We've got an audience a larger audience than normal today. So, please excuse my colleagues. Um, but congratulations on a great
tournament and a few other things. I already mentioned great job to Parks and Wreck has had a busy couple weeks pulling off a parade with the most ever um entrance. So, putting 70 plus floats and organizations together in a really smooth and seamless way is no small
feat. They also had the sand castle contest on Saturday which apparently was a lot of fun. I had a conflicting event, wasn't able to make it. Um, and then the Pause Park anniversary, um, was a great time. The first dog, Gracie, enjoyed herself thoroughly, uh, and took a great
big nap when we got home from that, as did, uh, the mayor. Um, we also have this week Seawalk Sessions, which is a free concert out in the, uh, Laam Plaza Seawalk area. Uh, traditionally rains on Seawalk session days, so only 58% right
now, I just checked. So hopefully we will be good to go. And then on Friday night, we have our moonlight movies, which this week is Top Gun Maverick. So, if you haven't seen that on a gigantic screen outside under the stars, now is your chance. Um, I want to recognize we have a lot of special guests today, but
I do want to recognize um and I I looked this up about five minutes after being elected mayor the first time. Mayors continue to be called mayor. It is technically correct to continue to call them mayor. She's rolling her eyes at me already. Mayor Ellen Glasser of Atlantic Beach is here with us today. I believe
she is here to advocate for the uh smoking on the beach issue. Sorry, it's last up on the agenda. So, um this won't be the first long council meeting you've sat through. So, appreciate you being here. Um Mayor Glaster, any other announcements from council. Okay, we'll
get started with courtesy of the Florida visitors. Um if when I call your name, come on up to the podium. Looks like the light is already green, so the microphone is hot. And you will have three minutes to address the council on topic of your choosing. Uh start with
your name and address. Leo Chrysler. Good evening, mayor and city council. Thank you for the opportunity to address uh regarding the 900 day construction project. I reside on Second Street South between 6th and 7th Avenue South. For reference, I would like to begin by saying that I'm not against these
improvements and progress nor the necessary construction. I'm all for it. I see the results and and the good that comes from it. However, our street has been under construction since December 2024 and remains in disrepair. The conditions have been hazardous with debris and construction waste littering the streets, including chunks of
concrete, exposed cables, pipes, and various tripping hazards, only to be removed when asked for by complaint to the contractor. On April 14th, 2025, three weeks ago, at 8 am, I received a knock at my door from a contractor employee informing me that my driveway
was being taken out of commission and I was advised to move my vehicles immediately or risk being stranded. I received no prior written written notice, no mailbox flyer, nothing. When I inquired as to where we were supposed to relocate our cars, the contractor was unable to provide an answer. I also
asked how long the service disruption was expected to last. He again stated he did not know but suggested it could be two weeks. I sub subsequently contacted the city and spoke to Mr. Fox who informed me that we could park at Oceanfront Park and that we should have been issued parking passes and we should
have been informed of this by the contractor which had never occurred. My first question for council is why do we not have a standard of performance to restore property access within a defined time frame? It's already been 3 weeks. Is it two weeks, three weeks, a month?
What is the contractor standard? No one seems to know and I contacted Mr. Dupri and we discussed it and he also said there wasn't one and he didn't know. While Oceanfront Park is a viable solution for resident parking during the week, it becomes overcrowded with beachgoers on the weekends. Cones are
disregarded, tossed aside, making it nearly impossible to reclaim parking spaces until after hours. On Saturday, May 3rd, my wife was stranded, contacted Jack Beach Police Department non-emergency number, spoke with Sergeant Shackleford requesting assistance. Sergeant Shackleford informed her that it was not his
responsibility as the cones were not police cones. He was not accountable for ticketing or towing from the lot for resident spaces. The parking passes were received were not his to enforce. Being told us by a public-f facing official that we as residents must spend for ourselves is concerning. So during the
construction and the beachgoing season, who is responsible for ensuring that residents who have no place to park at their houses have a place to park? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chrysle. Dale Templan.
Hi, my name is Dale Templan. I live at 612nd Street South. Um, I'm I appreciate y'all's opportunity the opportunity to talk. I'm gonna go back a few months. Um, back kind of the end of last year, I
notified um the city that the dune walk over at 6th Avenue, it's where first and six meet, it's listed as handicap accessible, but it is not people. My mom was dying and she wanted to get across
to see the ocean one last time. I was not able to let her have that wish before she died because it was not safe. uh jump forward a little bit. Um I've contacted numerous offices, kind of
given the runaround. Well, Saturday, my mother-in-law's here out of town. We're walking over that same walk over. She's 85 years old. She fell, broke a rib. She was at Baptist Beaches all evening, Saturday evening. She's now at my house.
And guess who's taking care of her? I I just I see assisted living facilities, two of the two local ones, go to that park where the dolphin is and they they're able to go and enjoy that park, but they can't get go even walk over and
see the ocean. And it's listed on the website that this is a handicap accessible area and it is not. And so now my my mother-in-law is at home right now suffer. I mean, she's suffering. She's 85 years old. There's
very little pain medicine that 85 year old can take. Um, you know, I I just need some resolution here because it's not fair that people cannot you with disabilities or are senior citizens, they they should
be able to have the same rights that we all do and enjoy our beautiful beach. So, I really appreciate y'all looking into that. Thank you, Miss Templan. And I don't know if you'll want pictures or You can certainly leave that with the clerk. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you
for your time. Sure. Thank you for being here. And I know if parents need to hop up and go uh get your scout, you are welcome to do that. I think everybody might have already gone. Uh Curtis [Music]
Loftess. Am I on timer? Not yet. Not yet. I know better. Nope. Nope. All right. Curtis Loftess, 1280 Mayport Landing Drive, Atlantic Beach, Florida. It's great to be in front of you guys tonight. Um, couple things I didn't
expect to mention. Was honored to be with some Beaches legends uh at the Beaches Museum just recently. They're recognizing class of 2025. Is that the way you say it? Uh, Mr. Gford. Bill Gford will be one. I think Lori
Anderson. And then the other gentleman I'm not quite familiar with. I'll ask Chris. M. Mayor Hoffman. Pastor Gabe Goodman. There you are. So, that was an honor. Uh, thank you. I uh it's I really enjoyed being with the Jacksonville Beach community even though I'm now in
Atlantic Beach. It kind of pains my heart a little bit to say that out loud, but it's just the way it works. Um, and the annual sand council. I was able to also be involved with that. Uh it was a lot of fun. So what I'm doing is speaking to you on behalf of uh Deck the Chairs. Just briefly, I wanted to update
you on Deck the Bins. And thank you again, council, for your uh support in this effort. Deck the chairs is now going to be celebrating 13 seasons. We've had a great relationship with the community with the uh life- saving ocean
rescue folks and really now since really 2019 2020 arts and arts education student arts and arts education has been our thrust. That's our beneficiary. So we are expanding and deck the bins is one of the really big programs for us. It's our first time venturing into a new
space. Uh we launched the beginning of the month and I mean we're already into what we're doing is we're going to wrap the trash bins, 24 of them in Jacksonville Beach. We've been permitted to do that or approved and these wood bins will be uh wrapped with banner uh
artwork, original art by young students between 8 to 18. Uh the program is capturing already 90 art pieces from across Jacksonville. So, we're really excited about that. Um, and then, uh, we'll be responsible for installation,
for maintenance. But what will happen is the beach will have art on bins that for years no one paid attention to, maybe no one even knew there was a trash bin there. And now these young artists, just like we were talking about with those Boy Scouts, you know, will have a chance
to experience what it feels like to have their artwork in a public space be recognized and celebrated. And uh that will happen uh the end of May installation begins. So I really just wanted to come in front of you. Thank you for what you're doing. Uh and we're
excited about that project and certainly excited about deck the chairs this season. So um that was it. Thanks. You you had time to spare. Thank you and thank thank you for your leadership on that project as well as
deck the chairs. Um, Dennis Wallrath. Hi. Hi. I have copies that maybe if you want to distribute if I can bring them up. Certainly hand them to the clerk. Okay. And just might be easier to um reference those. My name's Dennis
Walmrath. I live at 405 Upper 36th Avenue South. That's called the Courtney South Beach neighborhood. Uh the meeting on April 21st. two of the residents from the our community, 53 Homes, was here to talk about a parking situation on Fourth
Street South. There's a couple uh commercial businesses there, veterinarian, some office buildings, a funeral home. It's become a habit in the past couple of weeks that um it's about 150 yard stretch of home, I'm sorry, 150 yard stretch of Fourth Street, which
completes the circle for upper and lower 36th Avenue. And cars have been parked there all day. Um, so we had a a a bit of an event in Courtney this weekend. It was a yard sale. You know, everybody's selling each other's junk to each other. And uh, this
this topic came up and we I didn't really get a chance to come to the 21st meeting. So, I don't know if anything's been done since then to investigate it or see what's what's going on there, but the the veterinarian, we tried to approach several of uh the residents have tried to approach the veterinary
office and all the employees have just kept saying in a courteous way some most of them that they've been told by management that not to park in their parking lot, to leave their parking lot empty. So, they park along the street. At 150 yards long, there's about eight cars that parked there. We're not talking about a lot of employees or a
lot of customers, but it it absolutely blocks the um there are five entrances and exits to fourth a fourth street from different streets around there. That's why I want to show you the map that becomes very congested. And as you just talked about
the kickoff parade for the opening of the the um Jacks Beach, there'll be more and more residents uh you know walking their children, grandchildren. I have three grandchildren locally, five others that come up all the time. It's it's a hazard. It's a safety risk because uh
you did come out and put up a sign, no parking here to the corner because they were parking up on lawns and on corners. So, what we're asking is I don't know if anyone had talked to the businesses after the 21st meeting or not, but our request is is really that we take quick
and immediate action to just avoid a catastrophic loss or injury. It would be a shame to have it on our heads if something bad happened there. Um, there's other parking. I don't I'm not a traffic engineer. I'm a mechanical engineer, so traffic is not my thing. But I know there's parking elsewhere,
parking lots. Um, it's just it's it's not a livable situation. So, all the residents were very concerned about it. So, I said I would come to tonight's meeting, share my thoughts with you, ask that you take some quick and immediate action. Talk to the businesses. Tell them they have their own parking lots to
use their parking lots. ask them to cease and desist on that section. And we're also asking for no parking signs in that 150 yard section on Fourth Street. Um Jeff and Jeff are here, so I don't know that we need to go through any of that again, but uh I think you understand if you look at the map that
it's a very confined space. Uh it's not three cars wide. So when there's a car parked there, cars are constantly backing up. Delivery services, landscape contractors, it it has just been a mess. So, uh, asking for your attention to reach out to the contractors, reach out
to us, myself if you want. I'll go talk to the to the, um, businesses as well or help out where I can. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Mr. Walwrath. That is our last uh, courtesy of the floor speaker card. Everyone else is attached to an agenda item. Uh, so we will move on to
the consent agenda. I move that we approve the consent agenda. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Consent agenda carries. Now the moment we've all been waiting for, the
Citizen Information Academy graduation. Yay. I know. Yay. This is the fourth um series of the Citizen Information Academy. And I just want to give a huge shout out to our city clerk's office who organizes it all, handles the
applications, the scheduling, working with all of the different departments. All of the departments um key staff came out to uh talk to the uh participants in the academy and I hope that you all had uh a really enjoyable, informative,
engaging experience. Um I see some heads once we got through the 3se secondond lag on the PowerPoint. You guys got us through that. So, we appreciate your patience there. Um, but anybody else who is looking to learn more about how a city operates. Um, you don't have to go beyond that, but it's a great stepping
stone if you then want to get involved on one of our citizen boards if you want to run for office someday. Um, but at the very very least, you will be a more active, engaged, and involved citizen. So, appreciate you guys taking um a lot of time out of your personal lives to uh to come and engage with the city. So, we
have uh a certificate suitable for framing, uh swag bag, all sorts of good stuff. So, I'm going to come around. I'll call your name, um give you your certificate, and if we could just kind of line up at the front. We're going to do a photo op at the end, and then you can go and get your swag bag from Jod
Lynn. Did I get all that right? Is that the plan? Okay. And I can carry my microphone with me. This is fun. All right. the the power now that I have. I guess I could have just picked it up from
here. It was so Oh, sorry. Monica's reading names. That makes it easier. So, first up we have Amy Frank. [Applause] Angie Gaty again. That was Angie
[Applause] Gayy. I believe Deborah Porter is not participating this evening. Okay. and Miss Hannah Phillips is also absent this evening.
Um, we have Mr. Jay Turner, Miss Jennifer Ruo Don't be shy. Yeah, Miss Jessica Johnston. [Applause] Yeah, I think that's a good idea. We have Joanie Smith.
Mr. Justin [Applause] Henderson, Mr. Carl Johnson, [Applause] Miss Kathy Hall, Miss Christy Ambrose, and she did not make it this evening. But we also have Miss Lori
Davidson, Mia Kuzumoto. Mr. Rod [Applause] Jenkins, Mr. Ryan Donlin, and I think we skipped a name here, Mr. John Patridge. Uh, we're going to do a group picture.
Is it possible to step up on the the back can have two rows? Yeah. Yeah, that won't work unless they come down. We're scooching. Get uncomfortable. It'll be fine.
He needs to throw the drone in the air. It's okay. It's good. All right. Oh, that's a good shot. I think we are good. Thank you. I think all the way through that
the rumor just went around and not rumor I think they're all meeting uh for Cinco de Mayo. I don't know what happened but they decided to get a margarita instead of staying for the council meeting. And I respect that. I do. Thanks you guys. Okay, we have not yet made it to
city manager business. We have two other um ceremonial items. We have two proclamations. One of them, I apologize, my fault did not make it to the agenda. But we will go ahead and start with our proclamation for National Safe Boating Week. And I know we have um
friends from the US Coast Guard auxiliary here to accept this proclamation and maybe say a few words. So I'll go ahead and start. Whereas for over 100 million Americans, voting continues to be a popular recreational activity. From coast to coast and everywhere in between, people are taking
to the water and enjoying time together, boating, sailing, paddling, and fishing. And whereas safe boating begins with preparation, the Coast Guard estimates that human error accounts for most boating accidents and that life jackets could prevent nearly 75% of boating fatalities. And whereas through basic
boating safety procedures, carrying life-saving emergency distress and communications equipment, wearing life jackets, attending safe boating courses, participating in free boat safety checks, and staying sober while navigating. We can help ensure boers on America's coastal, inland, and offshore
waters stay safe through the season. And whereas National Safe Boating Week is observed to bring attention to important life-saving tips for recreational boers so that they can have a safer, more fun experience out on the water throughout the year. And whereas on average 650
people die each year in boating related accidents in the US, 75% of these fatalities caused by drowning. end. Whereas the vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error or poor judgment and not by boat equipment or environmental factors. And whereas a
significant number of boers who lose their lives by drowning each year would be alive today had they worn their life jackets. Now therefore, I, Christine Hoffman, mayor of the city of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby proclaim May 17th through 23rd, 2025 as
National Safe Boating Week, and urge all those who vote to practice safe boating habits and to wear a life jacket at all times while boating. [Applause] supporting this all
very resc So we appreciate the support. And our next uh proclamation is a little bit late, but it is never a bad time to conserve water. So, April was water conservation month. Whereas water is a basic and essential need of every living creature.
And whereas the state of Florida water management districts and the city of Jacksonville Beach are working together to increase awareness about the importance of water conservation. And whereas the city of Jacksonville Beach and the state of Florida has designated April, typically a dry month when water
demands are most acute, Florida's water conservation month, to educate citizens about how they can help save Florida's precious water resources. And whereas every business, industry, school, and citizen can make a difference when it comes to conserving water. And whereas every business, industry, school, and
citizen can help by saving water and thus promote a healthy economy and community. And whereas efficient irrigation design, programming, and maintenance can conserve water, the city of Jacksonville Beach will encourage citizens and businesses to evaluate their irrigation systems for potential
efficiency enhancements. And now therefore, be it resolved that by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Jacksonville Beach. I, Christine Hoffman, hereby proclaim April 2025th, 2025 as water conservation month in the city of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and call upon each citizen to
help protect our precious resource by practicing water saving measures and becoming more aware of this need to save water. For this, the 27th year of water conservation month, there will be a special focus on irrigation system evaluations. And we have Doug Cony with
the St. John's River Water Management. if you want to come up and introduce yourself and say a word or two if you like. Thank you, mayor, fellow commissioners and uh Mike and staff. I want to thank you. Uh and as the mayor said, it's important to note that it's just not
April. Even though it maybe seem like it's a little late, every month is water conservation month. Every day is water conservation month because you can exercise it not only in local government and your businesses, but you're at your homes as well. It's the 27th year. So 27 years ago, the state recognized we have
a problem here and we need to really conserve water. We had explosive growth which exists today still and with no sign of let up. And then in 1985 the onset of the modern irrigation system has just put our water use on a
precipitous line on the 45 almost like the blue angel takeoff. uh because now people can water their yards corner to corner almost every day with no mindset or recognition of the watering restrictions we have in place for water conservation. In fact, a recent survey
showed that 40% of citizens have never heard of the water restrictions and thought they were voluntary and that's a problem. Second, conservation is the least expensive. Actually, it cost you almost nothing and it saves the homeowner a lot of money because in
today's home, we find 50% of the water being used is outside the house. So, irrigation obviously is that low hanging fruit that we can really go after, but there's everything you do inside the house. Even when I had an 80-year-old mayor down Penny Farm say, "Turn the water off when you uh uh brushing your
teeth." And bless her heart, she is correct. Uh but let's just say that the north the north Florida regional water supply plan is our comp plan which oversees the act for water which you rely on. It defines the consumptive use permits that you rely on to get with the
utilities. It has a conservation element which is very important. If you are watching what your neighbors are going through to get that water now because the water supply plan I call it the tip of the iceberg in 2017 identified we got problems. Now, in 2023 when it was
updated, those problems still exist and they're getting bigger. Let's recognize that with uh since 2015 to 2045 to 20-year time frame, our population is growing by 49% just in northeast Florida and water use is going up by 32%. So, by
2045, anticipate 700 million gallons a day of water is getting pulled out of the aquifer. With efficient conservation, we can get to about 80 mgd. So where water is going to get more expensive are those other products we need to get that water use more even.
You'll hear about alternative water supply most commonly storm water harvesting or reclaimed water. You're familiar with reclaimed water because you use an awful lot of it on your golf course. Reclaimed water though is is becoming a problem especially this time of year as you see it's hot and dry. Two
of your sister uh jurisdictions to the south. Ja uh dealing with problems to the south and St. Johns County are enacting water restrictions on reclaimed water because when they reach operational use, they're turning valves off and that is a shock to some people
down there. But they're not paying attention and those nice neighborhoods, they see brown and they're watering uh their yards. So there's the tip of the iceberg when utilities start voluntarily creating restrictions. Then we have things like recharge. You're familiar
with the Black Creek Water Project. That was $120 million. Will be fully online this summer, taking 10 up to 10 million gallons a day from Black Creek 17 miles south to Keystone to recharge Lake Brooklyn, which is a high recharge area for the aquifer. The easiest point to
put water into that three-state bathtub down there. So, that's nice, but that's just a small part of this. The next project in the queue that you're going to start hearing more about is in a scale of cost and complexity by a factor of 10 over that is going to be right
here in your backyard. JEA will be taking 40 MGD, 40 million gallons a day and we're going to be shipping it out to Lake City to the recharge areas out there because those uh restrictions out there that are caused by what we call MFLs, it's basically the low fuel light
for your car. the act saying we've got a problem and that's why we got to recharge it 40 mg and you can you can guess that's a what 40 miles we got to get it there a lot of lane has to be used to cleanse it a little bit pick it up take them further out there and that's probably going to be at a billion
and a half dollars when it comes online in 2039 so if we keep lining up these big projects the cost of water is about to go up you probably have tier pricing to kind of motivate people when you go into tier three and four it gets real expensive So, I'm just saying we have to do things
that are inexpensive and easy to do without we're doing our part. And it's kind of like a a New Year's resolution. Three things you need to be successful. You need to have a plan, disciplined implementation, and achievable metrics if we want meaningful sustainability.
So, I just want to say thank you for what you do, what your staff does, and what your citizens are doing to help preserve our precious water if we expect to have an enhanced future for our water because things are are happening fast. So, thank you again for all you
[Applause] do. Thanks, All right, let's start this meeting. Moving on to item A, Mr. Baron. Mayor and council this evening, Dennis Baron, public works director. This evening, the first item I have for you
is approving the purchase of a replacement downtown city compactor. It's located just a block north of here and right behind uh this I think it's the Sea Horse Motel. Seawwalk Motel. There we go. Um it's in a public parking
lot directly back there. Um this item was put in play about 30 years ago. Um we have not replaced it since then. It's becoming problematic and the problematic uh parts are becoming uh bigger and harder to get. So, it's warranted. It's
in need of replacement. And that's what the first item is for you. Thank you, Mr. Baron. And a motion. I move we approve the purchase of a replacement downtown city compactor from Tampa Crane and Body through Marathon Equipment Company, a source provider, for an
amount not to exceed 56,371. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any questions or comments from councel? Mr. Horn, just want to ask um this is for the use of multiple businesses in that area and provided by the city. Do
any of the businesses contribute to this? So the several years ago, several probably 30 when the compactor was installed, uh the decision was made for the downtown area to be able to reduce the number of dumpsters and dumpster enclosures in the area to set up an area
that would all the businesses in that area would then share the downtown compactor. This building itself is also one that shares the downtown compactor through um through the paper waste and anything we generate here also goes through the compactor. So, it's it's
provided by the city, but it's done so systematically to encourage which businesses have to be a part of it, as in they're they're exempt from the requirements to have their own dumpster enclosures andor their own dumpsters located on facility, but in turn, we put them all back there together in in the
one common compactor. Okay. I mean, I'm all for the compactor. I just wanted to ask that question. Thank you. Any other questions from council? Madam clerk, roll call. Council member Golding, yes. Council member Horn, yes. Council member
Jansen, yes. Council member Sutton, yes. Council member Wowers, yes. Mayor Hoffman, yes. Motion carries, item B. Okay. Second item I have for you this evening is the approval of a new wet well tank uh and pipe cleaning and TV
inspection services contract with a primary to Wind River Environmental and a secondary to Shannondona. Shannondoa General Construction LLC. Uh this is a three-year contract request. It's part of an ongoing contract uh for the city.
It also has three one-year additional uh renewals at the end of the three-year. Second part and third part of course is to delegate the uh negotiation to the mayor and city manager as well as the third part is to approve subsequent
contract renewals with the city manager uh for the remainder of the term. This is something we have done. Um, and the same two contractors have been on lead and secondary for the previous term, which I think finish just finishing a 5-year contract. And I believe it was the same group before then. So, this was
a routine for public works. Thank you, Mr. Baron. And a motion on number one. I move we award bid number 2425-04 for the Wetwell tank and pipe cleaning and TV inspection services to Wind River Environmental DBA
Metro as primary vendor and Shannondon General Con construction LLC as secondary vendor. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion from council? Seeing that, Miss Golding, just a quick question because I I noticed
that the the prices that we were quoted by Wind River were significantly lower in most cases than the other um biders. Um so, you know, in the back of my mind, I always worry that you get what you pay for and I but I know that we've been
working with them for the past 10 years. So, just wanted to confirm we're happy with the with the services that we're getting from them. We are their their recommendations. We've been following them pretty strictly as far as um you know that part of that that this is part
of the group that actually found the the location down at Republic that we had to replace a few months back prior to the start of the American Drive project. That was part of routine pipe cleaning within the area that identified that clogged main that we needed to be able to address. So they are doing exactly
what they're supposed to do. We are happy with what they're doing. The only reason we keep a secondary is because it's such time critical. If for instance, Wind River cannot be Johnny on the spot. We have a secondary that we can enable to be able to get them out here because a lot of times this work
can become time critical. We do schedule a lot of work with them, but sometimes emergencies become very time critical. Don't get me wrong, I I I like to see, you know, lower prices. So, um, I'm glad that we're happy with their services.
Any other questions or comments from council? Madame Clerk, roll call. Council member Horn, yes. Council member Jansen, yes. Council member Sutton, yes. Council member Wowers, yes. Council member Golding, yes. Mayor Hoffman,
yes. Number two, I move we authorize the mayor and city manager to negotiate and execute any contract as a result of this bid award. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Madam clerk, roll call. Council member Jansen, yes. Council
member Sutton, yes. Council member Wowers, yes. Council member Golding, yes. Council member Horn, yes. Mayor Hoffman, yes. Motion carries. Number three, I move we delegate authority to the city manager to approve and execute all subsequent contract renewals through the
maximum contract term. Second. Have a motion and a second. Any questions or comments from council? Madam clerk, roll call. Council member Sutton, no. Council member Wowers, yes. Council member Golding, yes. Council member Horn, no.
Council member Jansen, yes. Mayor Hoffman, yes. Motion carries. Thank you, Mr. Baron resolutions. Mr. Putnham Putnham, director of Beaches Energy. Um, last week I brought these before you before the briefing. The
first one is res authorizing an addendum to the gas service agreement with Florida Gas Utility. This addendum allows us to do a prepaid deal for with a minimum discount of 60 cents per therm buying natural gas supply for our customers. the opportunity presents itself only because the the difference
between municipal boring rates and private equity is is large right now. And as you can see, at the end of five years, this would re we would repric this. If we don't reach a minimum discount price of 23 cents, then the we can either just say we're done with it or we can accept it as is. But that's
that's the offer from a through a I can't mention the firm right now. It's one of the large equity firms in the in the nation. So, if you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer them. Thank you. And can I have a motion on resolution A? I move we adopt resolution
number 2124-2025 authoriz an addendum to the gas services agreement permitting Florida Gas Utility to act on the city's behalf entertaining in entertaining into a prepaid natural gas transaction with the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia.
I'd like to correct the resolution number as 2194-2025. Second. We have a motion and a second. And as Mr. Putnham mentioned, we had a very extensive briefing on this last week. Pretty complicated but very interesting um opportunity for us. So,
uh, council members, if you have any additional questions, Mr. Waters, Mr. Putinham, as I recall in our discussion, um this was a part of the offer that it said was a 30-year
commitment commitment. You're certain of that? Thank you, Madam Clerk. Ellen, can you turn the podium mic back on, please? Any other questions or comments from council? Madam clerk, roll call.
Council member Wowers, yes. Council member Golding, yes. Council member Horn, yes. Council member Jansen, yes. Council member Sutton, yes. Mayor Hoffman, yes. Motion carries. Resolution B.
I move we adopt resolution number 2195-2025 authorizing the execution of a directive to execute financial hedges with the Florida Gas Utility. Second a motion and a second. Do you have any additional comments? Just just a comment
that the reason why this came about was um a few years ago gas prices were very volatile and I would get calls monthly from the hospital saying hey can you give me any idea where prices you know they're swinging wildly and I had really there's nothing I could really do because we just we buy what the market
you know price is. This allows us an opportunity to kind of levelize that cost over time by buying incremental natural gas supply at locked in prices that meet our budget. So it gives our customers budget certainty instead of having to ride the market. That's all comments I have.
Thank you, Mr. Putnham. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Questions from council. Madam clerk, roll call. Council member Golding, yes. Council member Horn, yes. Council member Jansen, yes. Council member Sutton, yes. Council
member Wowers, yes. Mayor Hoffman, yes. Motion carries. Moving on to ordinances. I'll go ahead and get the public hearing started. Miss Sireland. Uh Madam Clerk, will you read the ordinance by title, please? An ordinance of the city of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, adopting amendments to
the Jacksonville Beach 2050 comprehensive plan for the purpose of adopting the updated 10-year water supply facilities work plan in order to comply with chapter 16317 subsection 6C3 Florida statutes amending the
potable water sub element of the comprehensive plan providing for severability repeal conflicting ordinances, scrier's errors, and an effective date. Thank you. This ordinance for the amendment to the text of the 2050 comprehensive plan is before the council
for a public hearing and adoption on its first reading. Under the laws of the state of Florida, an ordinance which changes the text of any element of the city's 2050 comprehensive plan is a quasi legislative proceeding. Quasi legislative proceeding means that a governing body is acting in its rulemaking capacity. It is the duty of
the council to arrive at sound decisions regarding proposed changes to the text of the adopted 2050 comprehensive plan. This includes receiving citizen input regarding any proposed text change. The application has been reviewed by staff and the planning commission for consistency with other portions of the
comprehensive plan. The council may hear from all interested parties in the legislative determination of an amendment to the text of the city's 2050 comprehensive plan. I will now open the public hearing on ordinance number 2025-8221. Uh we'll have staff presentation
first. Thank you, Mayor Hoffman. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Heather Ireland, Planning and Development Department. Um I'm glad Mr. Cony was here to talk about the regional water supply plan. So that was kind of a surprise. Uh so by statute, we are required to adopt this document. and I
know it's not very long. Um, by reference into our comprehensive plan, uh, strategy PW117 references this document and it is adopted by reference. So, the only change to the actual comp plan is the date of this document and essentially it mirrors what the regional water supply
plan does except ours is like nine pages long and that one is about 500 pages long if you want to have some nighttime reading for that. Um, and what it requires us to do is identify our water supply infrastructure, conservation efforts, and any capital improvement projects uh that we have in the works
for improvement to our water supply. So, I know it sounds like a public works thing and we did coordinate with them to get all the data, but since it's an update to our comp plan, we kind of do this through the planning department. So, I'm happy to entertain any questions anyone has. Thank you, Miss Ireland. So, you're
saying it was lucky that we were late on the water conservation. Absolutely. Perfect coincidence. We knew that, didn't we? Yeah, we don't know. Uh, okay. Thank you, Miss Ireland. Uh, do we have any comments from the public? Anyone would like to speak in
for in favor or in opposition? We will close the public hearing before requesting a motion on this ordinance. Beginning with myself, each of the members has requested indicate for the record both the names of persons and the substance of any exparte communications regarding this application. Thank you. Do I not have to do this part? No, this is this is legislative, not quasa
judicial, so no exparte communications are required. Forget everything I just said. And a motion, please. I move we approve the ordinance number 2025-8221 on the first reading to transmit the updated 10-year water
supply facilities work plan for expedited state review and schedule a second reading for adoption on June 16th, 2025. Second. That sounds great. We have a motion in a second. Before opening the floor for discussion or questions by the council, please be reminded that our decision
will be based on the criteria set forth in the Florida statutes staff's report, the recommendation of planning commission, and the public input at all hearings. We'll now open the floor for discussion by councel. Seeing none, madam clerk, roll call. It's okay.
Wait, Mr. horn, please address the council. Thank you, mayor. It's my pleasure. Um, I just I actually have a question. Um, looking at page seven here, I just I this is just for my ownation. Um, the system components and then we talk about
the water pumping and treatment and we've got water treatment plant number one, well number 11 is out of service, but it's still listed as rated capacity and astral capacity. Was that prior to being taken out of service or is it still being I just I was trying to figure that out because I would assume that would just be a a line through Um I
believe so. Again, like I said, we got this updated data from public works, so we didn't question any of it if you if you will. They they told us what they needed to have change. And maybe our city manager with his engineering background can tell me we got rated capacity and actual capacity. So my
understanding is like rated and then actual. Is there a limit? Is there a percentage overrated that you can safely utilize these? Because several of them, well number 22 is rated at 1,600, but it's actual capacity is 1726. Same thing for well 23. Are we overusing these? Are
we I mean, I'm just wondering. Now, just to uh clarify for council, the the consumptive use permit, I'm presuming you're referencing page seven. Is that correct? Yeah. So, we've got our uh consumptive use permit is what we're actually allowed to withdraw from the well site
regardless of the technology that's there. So, we actually have capacity to pull more water than we actually use on a daily basis. And we want to make sure that we keep our permit for that value and not let it diminish. Otherwise, that would cap us on what we can do for
future growth. Thank you very much. Any other questions? Madam Clerk, roll call. Council member Horn, yes. Council member Jansen, yes. Council member Sutton, yes. Council member Wowers, yes. Council
member Golding, yes. Mayor Hoffman, yes. Motion carries. Moving on to ordinance B. I will um we'll call you up for updates in a second. U Madam Clerk, will you read the ordinance by title, please?
An ordinance of the city of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, amending chapter 31, traffic and motor vehicles, article 3, stopping, standing, and parking section 31-36, maximum parking time to add a provision for parking on State Road A1A,
providing for legislative findings, repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability, scriveners errors, codification, and an effective date. Thank you. This ordinance is before the council for a public hearing and consideration on its second reading.
I will now open the public hearing on ordinance number 2025-8222. Do we have any updates, Chief? Since last time, um Jean Paul Smith, chief of police. Of course, you all know this is our second reading for this ordinance. It was um amended at the
last meeting to 34th Avenue to to restricted parking from 34th Avenue to County Line on the west side of the road. Um, other than that, I I don't have any other comments. It's the the ordinance still is as printed. Um, it should be in front of you
now. Questions? We'll get to questions once we have a motion on the floor. Mr. City Manager? Yes. Uh based on the conversations with council uh over a week ago, we did send to the FDOT the revised or amended language that you put into the ordinance
and we asked them if they had any concerns with the amendment as it was posed. I received email confirmation from our representative at DOT this morning that they have no concerns with the modified motion as was done at the last meeting. Thank you, Mr. Stfopoulos. We have two
speaker cards. Terry Delo, if you want to kick us up. Okay. Terry Deloge 405 32nd Avenue South Jacksonville Beach. Um, honorable mayor, city council members, I I I just have one comment that I support basically I
support Councilman uh Sandy Goldman's amended u ordinance. What I do know is that the original ordinance the original ordinance would definitely have an adverse
effect on the cars being removed from Third Street uh with a 4hour limit up and down. It would push them into the neighborhood. I do know that that will happen. So, I know the other ordinance, the amended ordinance is not perfect. I
know it's organic. Um, but I do but I do support the amended ordinance and uh and uh and that's really that's it. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Delo. Janelle Wilson. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Janelle
Wilson, 2014 South Ocean Front. Um, Mr. Delo and I have a little bit of a disagreement on this issue. Uh I support the men the ordinance but in its original version which goes from 25th Avenue South and Oyola down to the
county line. Um even though Mr. Delo mentioned that it would cause the parking for the the employees of the First Coast Dermatology to park elsewhere. Um it would also push all the semis back up into our area. So this
whole this weekend, semiis were parked all up and down right there in that area. All every parking spot that they could get was parked there. So that's going to push them further north and cause more problems for us in that area. So I urge you to think about going back
to the original version from 25th and Oyola South. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Wilson. Uh that is all the speaker cards we had. Would anyone else from the audience like to address council before we take a motion? And can I have a motion, please?
I move we adopt ordinance number 2025-8222 on the second reading restricting parking on State Road A18 South. Second. We have a motion and a second. Mr. Horn. Um, thank you, Mayor. I would like to ask I
guess city manager attorney um and maybe the chief if he knows this answer. I'm going to play devil's advocate here. We pass this tonight. We say yes. And then three months from now, we have all of the semi- traffic that has moved or other vehicle traffic that's moved to
other areas. What I guess I guess I have two questions. Number one, what is our recourse? Can we because we've amended this. We chose 25th Avenue South and that was I think part of the discussion with the DOT.
If we what is our recourse down the road if we suddenly realize, oh wait, this is not working out the way we thought it was going to be. It's actually more problematic. We got citizens coming in here, you know, pitchforks and torches. Hey, this is a whole problem now. We've made it worse. So, I guess that's my first question is number one, do we have
any recourse? And then number two is I guess kind of following along with that is I haven't I'm wondering does where would the DOT and if is it in the discussions or maybe this is a private discussion their thoughts about how much further up
because we've had other citizens who've said hey okay why are you stopping at 25th why aren't we going to 16th why aren't we going to 10th why don't we go to beach boulevard why don't we ban them all from uh you know city of Jacksonville Beach so I There's kind of two issues there and I'm just wondering
if that can be I guess the first one is my real issue is like what would happen if this becomes an issue. Uh allow me to answer question one because I think that's more legal based and then I'll defer to Mr. Stephopoulos on question two. We we can always repeal
an ordinance if we feel or or further amend it with the only uh little nuance here is because it's on a state road uh to to seek authority, we need state buyin uh because of the way the state statute is is worded. Um that doesn't
mean we can't repeal it, but if we wanted to change it or or move it, we would just need, you know, the state DOT to be on board. But we're not stuck in any situation, for lack of a better term. If we enact this and we find it it winds up being detrimental, we could
always bring forward an ordinance to repeal it. Repeal. I think we have the ultimate authority. If we want to change boundaries, we we need coop, you know, to have the state's cooperation. And and part of that question was for there's folks in the audience that kind of have thoughts. I know there's people have different opinions of how this is going
to work and depending on which direction we go tonight. And I've, you know, we've all had probably, I'm assuming from citizens. So that was that question. I don't know about the other one. Yeah. Uh I think an answer to the second part is that in our conversations with FDOT, they have never indicated
this is a one bite at the apple and you're done. And so uh I think that if we wanted to expand the boundaries of 4hour maximum parking, they would entertain that. uh they were pretty clear that what we cannot do is ban semi-truck parking and we cannot
restrict overnight parking. Those are the two things that we cannot do. Uh we again the chief and I put together a laundry list of questions where they said either yes, no, or with following caveats. This is what we thought was the best way to move forward at this time. But if council wanted to come back and
say we want to expand the 4hour parking limitation, I think DOT would be amendable to that. And I just wanted to add there too and just to put a finer point on that we are not allowed to ban semi-truck parking on A1A. That is something that is not an
option to us. Um, but from the beginning of us trying to get an answer from FDOT of just a couple of years of unanswered emails to having a sitdown meeting and discussing this among several other issues um and concerns and just
establishing a a more productive communication I think has been very positive um for us. I don't want to speak on the others that were in the meeting, but to see the responsiveness that is now happening um is reassuring to me. Um, I don't know that this is going to be the the perfect panacea, but
I do feel that we have at least a dialogue and acknowledgement of our community's concern. Um, that they are interested in helping us solve the problem within within the range that we're allowed to. So, I I feel pretty confident with that. Um, Miss Golding,
are you I'm sorry, Mr. Horn, were you finished? Okay, go ahead. just going to say I I agree and I guess more than anything I'm glad that that came out because anybody who's going to watch this later on, they can see the thought process. They have the understanding now as to where we have other options down the road and for the folks in the room
because some folks will be happy with whichever way we approve this tonight and some folks won't, but we still have options and that's the that's the thing I wanted to make sure everybody's aware of. Thank you, Mr. Hor, Miss Golding. Thank you. Um, so there's a couple of
things I want to touch on tonight. Um, so this weekend I went down I'm on the north end of the beach, so I don't go to the south end that much. I hate to say that, but you know, I live in my little bubble up there. Um, but I did go
down there uh Saturday and Sunday and like Miss Wilson said, there were semi-truckss, four semi-truckss parked from 25th Avenue South down to 34th. Um, frustratingly to me, one of the trucks
was in front of we have three homes that front A1A right below 25th Avenue South. And um then one of them was in front of Palms Presbyterian and my understanding is that that a church member spoke to me
and the church is just not happy when they have those semis parking there and then the other one was parked in front of Quinn Shaws. So you know blocking visibility to their sign and if people are trying to get to a funeral and you
know you know I'm thinking about all of the the the issues, right? But the biggest one that bothered me the most was those houses on Third Street that front Third Street because that's the whole thing that got this started to begin with is on the east side of Third Street. We
have all these residences and these semis are parking right next to these residences and it's not it doesn't feel safe for our our residences and it's um just not a good situation. So, I went and knocked on the doors of those three
residences and was able to talk to two of them. Um, the third I wasn't able to to reach, but um the northernmost home was not being impacted by the semi because it was parked further it was parked further south. So, she said she
really didn't have an issue with it, but the home in the middle said, "Yeah, they do have an issue with it." And um so you know I feel like that's going to continue to be an issue
and so it's something I really would like for us to consider. The other thing I wanted to touch on is um to Mr. Delo's point. Um, the I found out from the chief that the dermatologist has five
doctors and that's the office that's right there south of 32nd and they have 22 employees and they only allow five employees to park in the parking lot. So that's 17 employees that have to find someplace to park. And ultimately, as
we've seen, they're parking on 32nd and possibly on 33rd. So, I still have concerns about opening it up to 4hour limit from 25th all the way down to the St. John's County line because because
the employees can't park in those spots, and I think that's just going to push the employees onto the the residential streets. However, I I would like for us to consider perhaps amending this ordinance again
to require the 4-hour parking from 25th to 32nd. There's not really any other place you could delimmit it, you know, because there's there's not a road between 25th and other than St. Augustine Boulevard. That's where those
houses are. Um, but that would basically require 4-hour parking in front of those three houses just south of St. Augustine Boulevard. Um, and it doesn't and I looked and there there is one other place where
people can park and it's in front of Janelle Wilson's business and I think it's maybe one or two cars can park there, but a semi couldn't park there. So my thinking is that this would help to address the semis parking in front of
those residences on the west side of Third Street. So, if there's not any other discussion, I would I'd like to make a motion that we would amend the ordinance to say on
the west side, we would require 4-hour parking from 25th Avenue South to 32nd Avenue South in addition to the 34th Avenue South to the St. John's County line.
We have a motion to amend. Is there a second? Wait, either there's a second or there's not. The amendment has no second. I will second it. Mr. Wer second. Discussion on the proposed amendment.
Uh, Mr. Horn was Does that I Does that effectively put us back to where we were initially? No, because that's carving out that's carving out 32nd to 34th, which is where
um the the bank and Dr. Moons and the surgery center. So, those areas, the surgery center. So, I spoke to somebody who works at the surgery center and the surgery center has a lot of parking, but apparently the surgery center is really
busy and their parking lot stays full a lot. So it would seem that those parking spaces along A1A there at the s surgery center would be beneficial to their employees and their patients as well. So
if we allow those businesses, we don't have the 4-hour limit in front of those businesses, then the employees can continue to park on A1A or the patients. I Okay. So, um and I do know the surgery
center quite well. My wife works there, has for the last 15 years. I go up there and visit. Um when I think about the concept of the 4-hour parking limit, we have the option of limiting parking to four hours
by ordinance. Trying to choose my words carefully. similar to how we limit people's ability to park in a handicap parking space. But if I ran over to the or
anybody in this room pulled up at the gas station right now, parked in the handicap spot, ran inside, it would be breaking the law. But you got your soda and left, probably would not get a ticket, correct? Possibly. Um, I worry about
leaving that open. Um, I just I don't know. I worry if we're going to put this in effect, I would like to see it just one area and go down and be done with it. But that's just my thoughts. Um, I don't want to go too far into that. I guess I was kind of going on a trail that would take too
long to explain, so I apologize, Mr. Jansen. Yeah, two things. One, I'd almost like to see an aerial map of it. I'm trying to imagine it in my head just to see where the medians are and where they're not because it's hard. I mean, I know the area, but I know that sometimes we
have those end caps that have those raised medians at the end. I like to see what those where those are situated. Number one. Number two, um if we amend this, are we back to conversing with FDOT again before we can move forth further?
you could adopt it and do could say that they're fine with it post. Um, but that's really an option for council. Either way, it would have to be brought back in front of FDOT. Correct.
that if you finalize an ordinance tonight, that or a copy of that ordinance would be sent to the Department of Transportation and at that point we would hopefully receive the authorization to move forward with the placement offormational signs for patrons.
Thank you, Mr. Wowers. Thank you, Mayor. Uh Chief, if I might ask you, you've been around a long time and you've seen councils come and go. I'm getting the gut feeling from
listening to a citizens concerns and living in this area and seeing it every day. Say we pick 25th south to the to the county line or to the to the end of our jurisdiction. Are we just moving the property to the problem north to beach
and 25th? Then um you asking my opinion I assume on all this. Um I I have seen this before and um it's possible it moves north and then we're going to have to move north and do the same issues north and when we start
carving out north of there because we've carved out areas already. My original choice was 25th to the county line on both sides. That makes it clean and there's no exceptions. Um it may may push it north.
Um it it may push parking that the employees have on the 32nd, 33rd, 34th. That's also very possible. You know, we've talked and uh at length of this I've star satellite photo for two weeks now and I've also driven down there
numerous times along with cso and we've I've talked to the businesses. I talked to some of the residents. Unfortunately, we have a commercial a very popular commercial area that's high traffic with a lot of high-end businesses, surgery centers,
dermatologists, realtors, uh the the funeral home, the the veterinarian. Directly to the west of that, we have a high density residential neighborhood, probably higher end, that's all sits off of Main State Road,
which is six blocks from the beach. There is no way in my experience that we are going to be able to pass an ordinance or legislation that will not affect somebody else. The law of unintended consequences what those consequences are. I've told some of
y'all in private conversations that the semi the spending the semi issue look like an easy pass but this is going to have unexpected consequences. Whether you say it's squeezing the balloon, whether you say it's Newton's third law of motion, every
effect has opposite re effect on something else or whatever you want to call it, it's going to affect. And usually it's an unant, it's unanticipated what the effects are. So we can predict, but there's going to be people affected, uh, businesses
affected, and uh, issues that we don't anticipate yet. It's almost guaranteed because we only have so much space and so much parking. Um, this may affect the residential parking on um 30 all the way from St. Augustine to Jax. It may affect
Isabella. Um, it may affect 36th Avenue South upper and lower. I just don't know what the the ramifications are, but it's going to be something. No matter what you decide on the dis and no matter how you try to carve out things, it will
have effects on businesses and residents and um um I'm also getting inquires about no parking and residential parking passes and just a lot of side issues. You know, as a council, you're doing your best to make a decision for the
greater good. You y'all didn't and I didn't create a lot of this issues and y'all doing and y'all have asked great questions. You've had great suggestions. I I think you're doing your due diligence. So, my hats off to you because I just want you to know there are going to be side effects of anything
we do and I can't predict what they're going to be. Um, also I've done my best and so is Mike to make recommendations to you. I don't know how to solve this problem. I've been staring at it for two weeks. If I did, I'd probably be on the lecture circuit for $100,000 a day if I
could solve this problem. So, did that answer your question? It's a long- winded response. I don't know what it's going to be, but it will be something. And it could be pushing it north. I don't think I understand exactly what you're saying. And you can't predict how it's all going to work
out. But I'm having just two feelings. I don't know if any of my honorable colleagues are having them too. I'm having because I live in that area and I drive it every day and I've been seeing a lot of semis parking down between 11th
Avenue South down to 20th to the gate station. Right. And I didn't used to see him there. So, I don't know if we're already seeing consequences or not or if they're just more just a coincidence or what. And I don't know if we're just pushing stuff into the neighborhoods and
making their lives, you know, worse. So, I'm hoping we can consider carefully what we're doing. And I'm honestly just suggesting perhaps the best thing to do is to move it even further south and see what
happens. and we can always come back and undo it. Thank you, Chief. I think you're overestimating the daily rate for lectures on uh park on street parking, but just in case that was a a retirement path. Maybe maybe um
I just want to um jump in real quick again. I don't think there's going to be a perfect solution here. I do think that we should move forward with something. I'm whether it's right or wrong and we will see the results. I think pretty quickly. But I do think that proximity
to Butler Boulevard is very attractive to the long haul truck drivers. I think that's why you don't already see them parking further down in and people are like, they're not in Upton Beach. Well, they're not in Upton Beach because it's far away from Butler. So, I think proximity and timeliness of being able
to get back on the highway um is what is attractive, one of the main things that's attractive about this area. I also think this there's some curves in the road. It is not a straight shot on A1A at that point in our community. It's also a place where speed really starts
to pick up as people are especially in the mornings and the evenings, they're they're going down getting ready to get on Butler to head west. So that's why I think even if we do push the problem around a little bit, I think that this is one where it is really hard to take a
right or a left turn onto Third Street anyway and then you put a big barrier to visibility in front of you. So, um, I definitely don't think there's a perfect solution. I think that's the first thing you learn in the city government. The citizens say, "Just do this. It's so simple." And you realize
there's 27 reasons why it's not that simple. And I think this is a great example of that. Um, and so we're still on the uh amendment offered by Miss Golding. So, I'll go back to Miss Golding for a revisit. Yeah. I just wanted to um to follow up
with Mike. Um so FDOT didn't put any uh boundaries or anything on what we did. They just said restrict it restrict the time uh only. Right. So if we wanted to say
these areas and these areas that I mean do you have any reason to believe that that they otherwise would would they not have said you know we want you to do it a certain way.
Yeah. They they did not u they did not tell us you can only work south of Beach Boulevard. They did not tell us it has to all be contiguous. They did not tell us that we can't come back a second time within three or six months to ask for an expansion or extension. What they told
us was you can't ban semi-truckss and you can't ban overnight parking. And there was a laundry list of some other things that we had asked them as well. But those were the two big caveats. You cannot ban semis and you cannot ban overnight parking. So I I mean I realize that there may be some hesitancy that
okay if we're if we're doing this in one area and another area and leaving that that 32nd to 34th you know without any time limits you know is that a little disjointed but you know personally I I would just I would like to say that
again going down there this weekend and and seeing what was going on all throughout the weekend you know that semi truck was there in front of those homes the whole time Saturday and Sunday. And you know, we don't have any
restrictions right now. You can guarantee that if we do when those restrictions do go in, the semitrs will continue to be parking in front of those homes. And you know, for me, the biggest issue is how the semitrs are impacting
our homes that are right there along A1A. And so that's why I really feel that we need to try this. This is going to be our first bite at the apple. We try this. At least we're doing something to try and and I know that you guys didn't look at the map and I wish we
could pull the map up here, but I can tell you that, you know, from 25th to St. Augustine Boulevard, there's the gate gas station and there's really not any parking there. From St. Augustine to
32nd. There are a few businesses, but there's those houses and then there's there's that long stretch of parking right there in front of those houses and then there's not really any other parking that a semi could fit in. So, the semis are just taking advantage of
that and parking right there in front of those homes. So, I I would just like to urge my fellow council members to consider doing this at least for the sake of those residences that are there because that's the whole thing that got us started going in this direction to
begin with to try to address the issues that that are impacting the people who are living there every day. Um, and uh so that's why I think we really should support this modification.
Thank you, Miss Goldie, Mr. Sutton. Um I do have the map pulled up and I completely agree um with the recommendation on the amendment. Um and it did start because of houses on the east side. So uh this is just a very
small it's really two and a half of the houses there. Um just south of St. Augustine. Yep. Um so I don't see any reason. And then back to the FDOT thing, I don't I think it's reasonable to
assume that they would be supportive. They've supported what we've recommended thus far. And if any future adjustments that we make further north are needed, it as long as they're similar in nature, I see no reason why
they wouldn't approve those as well. That that's just my opinion, but uh I don't see where they would have any basis to not approve them. Um, you know, in the big picture here, we've we're talk we've talked about a number of things. We've got the vets
office and this the whole fourth street thing. Um, you know, unfortunately, if we were to approve something, you know, what's asked for right here, the the cars from down there and th those um businesses could end up on 36th upper
and lower. So, we've got to be very careful, right, what we do because we don't want to um exacerbate the problem and and what we're doing here could exacerbate some problems. But I think all of us recognize, we've talked about this already, that there's some additional things that are going to need
to be done, particularly in this area west of A1A. um and the dermatology office as as Miss Wilson has outlined and the possibility of uh an influx of some of those
businesses depending on what occurs there or what we recommend or try and get them to do then all of a sudden if you don't cover everything then you've got cars parking in front of homes on 32nd or whatever the case may be. So, we've got to try and think ahead, right,
to not not cause another problem as much as possible. But, um, I agree with the amendment. I think this is a first step and, um, like the mayor said, we'll see where, um, sort of where it trickles out and where the pro there they're probably
going to be some additional problems and we'll have to address those. Thank you, Mr. Sutton. I don't have any other lights on the board, so we will vote. Mr. Wowers. Thank you, mayor. I just wanted to say quickly that I hope we be as responsive to other residents
needs as we are trying to be for these folks. Thank you. Seeing no other lights, uh we'll vote on the amendment as offered by Miss Golding for roll call. Council member Jansen, yes. Council member Sutton, yes.
Council member Wowers, yes. Council member Golding, yes. Council member Horn, yes. Mayor Hoffman, yes. Motion carries. Back to the original motion as amended. Are there any additional comments? Madame Clerk, roll call.
Council member Sutton, yes. Council member Wowers, yes. Council member Golding, yes. Council member Horn, yes. Council member Johnson, yes. Mayor Hoffman, yes. Motion carries. Final item of the night. Sorry
guys, it's been a busy day as you can tell. Thank you for your patience. We will move on to our final ordinance. Madame clerk, will you read the ordinance by title, please? An ordinance of the city of Jacksonville
Beach, Florida, amending chapter 6, beaches and bulkheads, article 3, use of Atlantic Ocean Beach, section 6-45, prohibited activities and items on Atlantic Ocean Beach to provide a prohibition against smoking on the beach
and amending section 6-57 enforcement citation form hearing penalties. to make necessary corrections and clarifications, providing for legislative findings, repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability,
scriveners errors, codification, and an effective date. Thank you, Madam Clerk. This ordinance is before this council for a public hearing and consideration on its second reading. I will now open the public hearing on ordinance number 2025-8223. Any updates, Chief? Oh,
sorry. I'm still reeling from that. Um this is of course the second reading for the um banning for smoking on the beach. It's the same as written on on the first. There were no amendments to the first um to the first
vote approval. So it's presented as is in front of you and no changes. Thank you, Chief. Um, we do have quite a few speaker cards and I do just want in case you missed it, we did um have a first reading on this item a couple of
weeks ago and it passed unanimously. So, uh, if you don't feel like you have to use your whole three minutes, you are welcome to not use the whole three minutes, but everyone who has presented a speaker card and would like to speak will be offered the opportunity. But feel free to wave, give a thumbs up, um,
or or come to the podium. your name. So, we'll start with Ashley Mazano. Come on up. Give us your name and address and you will have three minutes up to three minutes to address the council. Good evening. Um, my name is Ashley
Matsano and I live at uh 10439 Skyrest Drive North, Jacksonville, Florida. And it is an honor to speak with each and every one of you this evening. I'm here on behalf of tobaccof free Jacksonville as a member of the organization but also as a Jacksonville residents and former
teacher for Duval County public schools. Over the five years I taught science a middle and high school across the county. I witnessed how vaping negatively impacted my students well-being and how normalized it was in recreational areas where they frequented. I would like to address the
hazards that smoking and vaping products have on the well-being of young adults. What youth see in their environment matters. Tobaccof free policies shift norms and reduce the likelihood of youth starting to use tobacco or vapes. When I taught, students would regularly attempt
to vape in school bathrooms or hallways um because they believed it was a safer alternative to cigarettes which did not harm their peers. But everyone in that bathroom where vaping occurred was exposed to heavy metals like lead, tin, and nickel as well as chemicals such as formaldahhide and other identified
chemicals. The harms of secondhand smoke for cigarettes and vaping products are largely unrecognized by the public. The normalization of vaping and tobacco products in public settings such as Jacksonville Beach contributes to the rates of disease and death I am witnessing in the community. Increased
risk like increased health risks associated with vaping and tobacco products are not only relevant for Duval County public school students but young families who visit the beaches with their children as tourists. As many of you know, Florida's economy relies on tourism, and visitors site clean natural
areas that are free of litter as a top reason for choosing their destination. Just last month, during a litter cleanup event held by the high school volunteers, Beaches Go Green and other nonprofit organizations, I found over 10 examples of tobacco litter in one small part of Jacksonville Beach's shoreline.
Removing tobacco products from beaches contributes to cleaner, safer, and a more inviting environment. It would also help send the right message to our youth for that reducing smoke and vape exposure improves public safety and comfort for all. Remember, every time a child who attends a Jacksonville beach
after school to play, work, or relax, are exposed to secondhand smoke from both vaping and tobacco products. Public outdoor spaces, especially beaches, must be safe and healthy for our youth to enjoy without risk to their future well-being. communities still have the opportunity to set
policies in place um regarding ecigarettes and other tobacco product use in public spaces. Please consider the limitation of these products on our local beaches and parks in order to commit to a healthier and inviting atmosphere for all. Thank you so much.
Have a great evening. Thank you, Miss Misano. Dora Rasulova. Good evening, mayor and city council members. My name is Diora Basalovva and I'm a high school student at Sandalwood High School. I'm also a member of Students Working Against Tobacco or SWAT
club. SWAT is a youth organization where we educate our peers and communities about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine and advocate for policies that protect health like the one you are considering tonight. I'm here tonight to thank you for your consideration of the smokefree beaches ordinance. Protecting our beaches is important and we are very
excited that you are considering this step. We support you moving forward with passing the ordinance. It will help keep our environment clean, protect wildlife, and create a healthier place for families, kids, and visitors to enjoy. We also ask you to please consider adding electronic nicotine devices like
vapes to the ordinance before the final vote. Vaping is becoming a big problem among young people and we are seeing vape litter like pods and disposable pens more and more on the beaches. These products also harm the environment and the chemicals inside them are dangerous to people, animals, and our water. Right
now, one in three youths in Duval County have tried a tobacco product and many of us have been exposed to secondhand smoke or vapor. Secondhand exposure to vape aerosols isn't just annoying. It can expose people, including young children, to harmful chemicals like nicotine, heavy metals, and lung irritants.
Families shouldn't have to worry about their kids breathing in dangerous chemicals while trying to enjoy a day at the beach. If we want to show young people that our beaches are a place for health and fun, not tobacco or vaping, it's important to include all tobacco products, including vapes. We ask that you vote in favor of the ordinance and
consider adding vaping. By making the ordinance stronger, you can help protect the environment, protect kids like me, and help make Jacksonville Beach a place where healthy choices are easy for everyone. Thank you again for everything you are doing. We're excited to see Jacksonville Beach make our beaches cleaner, safer, and healthier for the future. Thank you. Thank you, Miss
Rosalova, Lilianne Sullivan. Good evening, mayor and city council members. My name is Lillianne and my address is 7,000 P Avenue. I'm a high school student at Samuel W. Wolson for School for Advanced Studies here in
Duval County. I'm also involved with SWAT, which stands for students working against tobacco. Our goal is to empower young people like me to speak out against tobacco and vaping and to create health healthy environments where it's e easier for everyone to make healthy choices. I would like to thank you all
for considering making our beaches smokefree. It's an important step and we're grateful for your leadership. Tonight, I want to talk about why it's so important to include electronic nicotine devices like vapes in the final ordinance. Many people think vaping is harmless,
but it's not. Vape vapes contain nicotine and other dangerous chemicals that can harm developing brains, especially for people my age. Most pe most people who end up addicted to nicotine started using tobacco or vaping products before they turned
18. That's why it's so important that in public spaces like our beaches are free from smoking and vaping. Seeing people vape in public makes it seem normal and acceptable to young people. If vaping is allowed on the beaches, it sends the wrong message that
it's safe or no big deal. But it is a big deal. It's unhealthy and it's creating a new generation hooked on nicotine. Also, vapes aren't just a health problem. They're a pollution problem, too. The disposable devices, pods, and cartridges get left behind,
littering the sand and harming our environment, just like cigarette spots do. And I know from personal experience because my friends are some of them have a smoking allergy. So whenever they're exposed to secondhand smoke then they like they start to brea not be able to
breathe. And like in in our bathrooms where students are smoking all the time and you see like groups that will like gather in these stalls and no one is doing anything about it. Uh, we want Jacksonville Beach to be a place that encourages healthy choices,
not addiction. We hope you'll consider adopting the smokefree beaches ordinance and adding vapes so that all types of smoking are covered. Thank you for listening and protecting our community. Thank you, Miss Sullivan. Mayor Glasser,
good evening everybody. It's nice to see all of you. Madame Mayor, council members, chief, Mr. City Manager, and the staff, we appreciate what you do. So, like, uh, these folks younger than me, um, I I want to thank you for taking
up this ordinance. Uh, it's been three years incoming. Uh, and provide a little bit of background here. And God knows if one of you votes no after I speak, I'm never going to come back. So, um anyway, uh when I was the mayor, I worked uh
very aggressively to remove the preeemption against regulating smoking. Uh and after that was lifted in 2022, Atlantic Beach was the first jurisdiction to pass um smoke the an ordinance on smokefree zones in parks
and on our beaches. And I don't like to use the word ban because that's just making it a negative thing. when we regulate activities that people have all the time. You've done it tonight with parking. We talked about life preservers. Uh I mean there just so many things that these are these are just
rules that we have in living in a society and being safe. So in any event um Atlantic Beach passed that ordinance soon after. New Neptune Beach did. Then Jacksonville passed uh uh smokefree zones and parks. So, we we are left here
with Jacksonville Beach as the only jurisdiction in the county that doesn't have um that restriction. So, I'm looking at the seal behind you, Mayor Hoffman, where it says First Coast's finest beach. So, let's live up to that.
Again, we talk about three beaches, one community. So, let's do something really significant for the county. You have the power to do that, to make these the First Coast's finest beaches. So, uh, I I really want to
thank you. Uh, I hope you do this. I understand the the tension between familyfriendly and tourism, but what kind of place do you want to be? I would argue that's a clean, familyfriendly place that is free of litter, of
cigarette butts that kids are going to pick up. um that does not have secondhand smoke on beaches um and that doesn't harm marine life and harm people and encourages people not to start smoking if you're serious. Uh you could
also close the loophole that would be created by not adding vaping. So you could where it says um smoking, you could add and vaping in the ordinance and and really uh close that loop. So, I encourage you to vote yes. Again, I
thank you um on behalf of my mother who died of smoking related uh lung cancer. Uh let's let's encourage healthy living for this generation and the next. So, thank you again. It's nice to see you all. Thank you, Mayor Glasser. Katie
Montalto. Good evening, mayor and Jacksonville Beach City Council members. My name is Katie Montalto, 3591 Kernin Boulevard South. I'm a former University of North Florida student, a partnership member of tobaccof free Jacksonville, and one of many who value the well-being of our
outdoor spaces and community. I'm here this evening to express support for adopting a comprehensive smokefree beach ordinance, including a ban on electronic nicotine devices like vapes. First, I want to thank the council for your leadership in adopting smokefree park policies. Now is the time to take the
next step and extend those protections to our beaches and to ensure this policy includes vaping products. Tobacco related diseases remain the leading cause of preventable death in the US and worldwide. In Duval County, one in nine youth between the ages of 11 and 17 use
tobacco or vape products and nearly half report being exposed to secondhand smoke or vapor. What youth see in public spaces matters. Smokefree beaches send a clear message that we value health and that we're protecting the next generation. Cigarette butts remain the most littered item in the world. Now
disposable vapes are adding to the problem filled with plastic batteries and chemicals that don't break down. A tobacco free beach will reduce litter, protect marine life, and preserve our trolling. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and
stroke. Vapor aerosol contains heavy metals like lead and nickel and chemicals like formaldahhide. None of these belong in the lungs of kids or anyone trying to enjoy the beach. Kids are especially vulnerable and they deserve clean air and healthy outdoor spaces to explore, play, and grow.
Families are the heart of this community. They live, work, vote, and pay taxes here. They deserve to enjoy our coastline without navigating toxic waste or inhaling harmful chemicals. We also understand the challenges that are presented to individuals who are directly affected by nicotine addiction.
We strongly believe this ordinance will help support these individuals and protect the community's health. This ordinance isn't just about advocating for public health. It's about considering the kind of community we want to be. More than 80 cities across Florida have already adopted policies
like this. Jacksonville Beach is currently the only beaches city in Duval County without its tobacco-free beach ordinance. Neighboring Neptune Beach also restricts electronic nicotine devices in its ordinance. You have the opportunity tonight to show leadership and set an example for healthy,
welcoming public spaces, especially with consider consideration for youth whom the tobacco industry continues to target. Tobacree Jacksonville and our partners are ready to support public education and implementation. Your decision tonight can help create a
safer, healthier, more welcoming beach for residents, visitors, and generations to come. I respectfully ask that you vote to adopt this ordinance and include electronic nicotine devices in the final policy. Thank you. Thank you, Miss
Montalto. Marlo Zarka. Hello, Mayor. Marlo Zarka. Uh my home address is uh 1431 Riverplace Boulevard, but I'm also a proud business owner here in Jackson Beach at 992 Beach Boulevard. Um I'm here um representing Blue Zones Project Jacksonville as I'm
the public policy lead for them and we represent a partnership. So uh tonight we had a partner of ours that was not able to attend so she asked me to speak on her behalf. Her name is Vicky Bell. She is a respiratory therapist for over 14 years and serves in higher education
as a program director. She has spent countless hours speaking to anyone that would listen on the hazards of vaping. Vaping is not harmless. It is not a way to quit smoking and it is causing permanent lung damage to users of all ages. And this is all backed by uh
reliable evidence and research. The younger person ever uh and the very first to receive a double lung transplant was a 17-year-old from Michigan who was an avid runner and he had only vaped for a few months when he became so ill that the only way to save
his life was to put him on the transplant list. This was from vaping. Secondhand vape smoke carries all the same carcinogens. That's over 7,000 carcinogens being cancer-causing metals and harmful chem chemicals that firthand users are subjected to even if you
cannot see the vape cloud. And this was new to me as I was doing this research on behalf of um this topic. The incidence of asthma has increased and treating asthma patients is more difficult is they if they vape as well and the trash from these devices can get into the hands of small children and
cause deadly results. Most calls to the poison control center for young children are those who have accidentally ingested vape liquids. Little ones put everything in their mouths and so it's our duty to protect them, especially when they are in public places. Please add
Jacksonville Beach to the full list of beaches that promote lung health and allow everyone to smell the great salty air without the impurities added by tobacco and vaping devices. You will not be taking away rights, but you will be giving back the right to everyone who visits Jacksonville Beach to breathe
clean air while spending time with family, vacationing, and just enjoying all the things that Jacksonville Beach has to offer. On behalf of Vicky Bell and myself, thank you for your time. Thank you, Miss Arca. Luen Brunson. Lan Brunson, uh, 6366 Long Leaf Branch
Drive, Jacksonville. Um, good evening, council mayor. Um, my name is Lan Brunson, public policy coordinator for Blue Zones Project Jacksonville. Uh, with Blue Zones being in full effect in Jacksonville right now, we have uh, we, uh, thanks to the leadership of Baptist
Health Mayo Clinic in UF Health, we have a unique opportunity to be involved in a reduction of chronic disease, improve quality of life, and boost our local economic. Uh therefore we are in support of the ordinance to prohibit smoke-free beaches. Um secondhand smoke is not just
unpleasant, it's deadly. In Dual County, half of our youth report exposure to secondhand smoke or vapor and children are especially vulnerable in its effects which include asthma, slow young slow slow lung development and increased risk of respiratory illness. According to the
CDC, 34,000 non-smokers die each year from heart disease um from secondhand smoke. Also beyond the health, this aligns with our environmental goals. Um, of course, cigarette buds are the most littered um item on Earth right now. Um, polluting our beaches and endangering
our marine life. Um, also disposable vapes and pods are emerging source of plastic and chemical waste on our beaches. Eat cigarettes waste contains metal, batteries, and plastic cartridges. Um, these products cannot biodegrade even under the most severe conditions. Um, so I say let's please
let's join the other 80 Florida municipalities and do what's right for our environment, our our families, and our future. And I respectfully urge you to vote in favor of smokefree beaches ordinance, including restrictions and vaping and electronic devices. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Brunson. Michaela
Swift. Good evening, mayor and city council members. My name is Michaela Swift and I attend Andrew Jackson High School. I'm president of my school's SWAT club and I also sit on the statewide youth advocacy board. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to us tonight and even more so, thank you for taking action to
protect our community through the proposed smoke-free ordinance. It means a lot to know that our voices are matter, they matter, and that they're heard. I'm here to talk specifically about why including ecigarettes and vapes in the ordinance is so in the ordinance is so important, especially for people my age. Vaping is something I
see almost every day, whether that's at parks, on sidewalks, after school, outside. It's become so common that many teens barely think twice about it. But what we've learned is that these products are nothing short of harmless. They're filled with nicotine and chemicals that can hurt our developing
brains and bodies. And to make matters worse, they're designed to be explicitly um they're explicitly designed to be addictive. Some of my classmates picked up a vape thinking it was just flavored water vapor and now they're hooked. Some not even old enough to drive. That is not how youth should be introduced to
the concept of addiction. Additionally, many people don't realize that secondhand vapor or aerosol isn't safe either. It contains harmful substances like heavy metals, ultrafine particles, and chemicals linked to lung disease. This leads to people nearby, including
children and families, being exposed to these risks, even if they're not the ones using these products. Um, another priority is our environment. We've seen baked pods tossed in the dunes or left behind on the sand. These things don't just disappear. They pollute our beaches, harm wildlife, and take away
from the natural beauty people come to enjoy at our beach. By including ecigarettes in the ordinance, you're showing that Jacksonville Beach stands for clean air, safe spaces, and the health of every v visitor, no matter their age. I do want to thank you again for working toward a um smoke-free
future, and we're proud to be a part of this community, and even more so grateful for your leadership in helping make it safer and stronger for everyone. Thank you, Miss Swift. That is the last speaker card. Would anyone else like to speak in favor of or
against this ordinance? Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing and request a motion. I move that we adopt ordinance number 2025-8223 on the second reading prohibiting smoking on the beach. Second.
We have a motion and a second. Mr. Sutton. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I'm just going to offer an amendment. Um, I'm a little disappointed we didn't do it the first place, but I think it's the right thing to do. So, an
amendment to ordinance 2025 8223 to read as follows. Section R specifically, no smoking. Smoking means inhaling, exhaling, burning, carrying, or possessing any lighted tobacco product,
or electronic nicotine or vaping product, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, electronic pens, ecigarettes, and any other lighted tobacco, or electronic vaping
product. In accordance with Florida Statute 386.209, 209. Smoking does not include the use of unfiltered cigars. Second. We have a motion and several seconds. Uh Mr. City Attorney, I just I wasn't sure what the language
of that how that amendment was going to read. I think the way it's read uh we are fine in terms of what's called it's not a substantial or material change to the ordinance. I was I was piping in in case I had to say we had to readvertise,
but it's my opinion based on this amendment. If it does pass, we're good to proceed in this meeting without having to go back to the drawing board. Just wanted to chime in on that. Thank you, Mr. Migette. U Madame Clerk, are you good with that language? And could you did you capture everything?
Um I did not capture everything. I can um do it ver word for word based on the um the recording. Recording. Okay. Thank you. Uh, we have a motion and a second to amend. Miss Golding. Thank you. And thank you, Councelor
Sutton, for offering that amendment because I was going to if you didn't. Um, because in our last meeting, I I brought this up that I that I felt like we needed to consider vaping. And I just want to say that I think um I I know
that we don't um prohibit vaping in our parks. So with this being with this being said, I think we need to look at that going forward, but I fully support the amendment. Mr. Thank you,
mayor. As a longtime educator, it does my heart good to see our young people stepping up to the plate and trying to make a difference in this world. Congratulations. We're very proud of you. Any other comments on the proposed
amendment? Madame Clerk, roll call. Council member Wowers, yes. Council member Golding, yes. Council member Horn, yes. Council member Jansen, yes. Council member Sutton, yes.
Mayor Hoffman, yes. Amendment passes back to the original motion. Any further discussion, Mr. Jansen? Yeah, I just want to say a few things. Uh, one, um, I do believe secondhand smoke is carcinogenic. I I'm not a big fan of it. Um, I'm glad it was removed from
restaurants in certain locations. That's for sure. Um, I don't like the litter that's on our beach because of cigarette butts and that that type of thing. Um, I also think that um if this were to go on a referendum, it would pass
overwhelmingly. Um, I can't say I don't have a crystal ball, but I think if I had a crystal ball, that's what it would say. Uh, I always look at a lot of the the to the point that Mayor Glass was making, whenever these items come in front of us, I look at um this kind of
as a threeprong. You know, does it does it make our city safer? Does it improve quality of life? And is there a financial impact to it? So, those type things come to my mind when I'm reviewing these. I also want to thank Marlo Zarka for taking time out a few months ago to sit down with me and and
we had a lengthy conversation. and I asked her to do some research on other cities throughout the state and she did that for me and provided that information. So, I do appreciate the work that she put in there. As a representative of all people, I do get concerned at times about government
overreach. I'm conservative by nature and I like to make sure that the government overreach isn't invasive and so I always keep that in the back of my mind when it comes to things like this. Um, I will be supporting this tonight, but I just want to make that known for the record.
Thank you, Mr. Jansen. Miss Golding, just real quick, I wanted to follow up on what Mr. Jansen said about the referendum. Um, I wish there would be a referendum because I would like to see the referendum also include cigars because the state exempted or,
you know, carved out cigars. And honestly, cigars are just as bad as as any anything else. And I'm I'm sad that we are not able to do anything about that because because of the state. But um I'm I'm glad that we're passing this
tonight. Thank you. Or I hope we're passing this tonight, should I say. Seem seems like the odds are good. Any other questions or comments? Um I want to thank you all the speakers who stuck it out there till the end. It sounds like your comments did have some impact because we had debated in workshops and
in our prior um meeting on the inclusion of of ecigarettes and vaping. And uh I do want to say uh for Mayor Glasser that we did jump right on parks when the preeemption was lifted, but we we did uh drag our feet a little bit on beaches. We wanted to see what other communities
did. We are the largest beach. uh we have the most probably diverse population in terms of visitors and tourists and people from all across our region um than certainly our our neighbors to the north who tend to be much more residential. So we knew it was going to be a bigger lift. Um but I have
to say I haven't gotten a single email or phone call uh against this ordinance. So, um I think that that just kind of shows you where we are uh as a community and a society in um preserving the cleanliness, the healthy options that we
have here at our beaches and how important that is to not just Jacksonville Beach residents, but to all of those who who come out and utilize our beaches um year round. So, I'm glad that we are taking it up now. I do agree. Um, I don't even know if we even talked about vapes at that time because
they were not as big as and prolific as they really are now. So, I I agree with uh Miss Golding that we should revisit parks. Um, maybe we give it a minute though since we've put a lot of a lot of effort into this one. Um, so any other questions or comments from council discussion? Seeing none, madam clerk,
roll call. Council member Golding, yes. Council member Horn, yes. Council member Jansen, yes. Council member Sutton, yes. Council member Wowers, yes. Mayor Hoffman, yes. Motion carries. Is there a motion to adjurnn? I move to adjurnn.
Second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Meeting is adjourned. Have a good night. Be safe.