Council Briefing (2025-12-08)

Minutes of City Council Briefing Monday, December 8,2025-5:30 P.M. City Hall 1 $ ^{1st} $ Floor Conference Room 11 North 3 $ ^{rd} $ Street, Jacksonville Beach, FL

The Council Briefing began at 5:30 P.M.

The following City Council Members were in attendance:

Mayor: Christine Hoffman

Council Members: Sandy Golding Bill Horn (late) Dan Janson Greg Sutton (late/left early) John Wagner (late) Bruce Wouters

Also present were Director of Beaches Energy Allen Putnam, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Coordinator Taylor Mobbs, Director of Public Works Dennis Barron, Communications Manager Jacob Board, and City Attorney David Migut.

Purpose of Briefing

The purpose of the Briefing was to update the Council Members about ongoing items in the City.

City Manager

Neptune Beach Franchise Agreement

City Manager Mike Staffopoulos and Director of Beaches Energy Allen Putnam provided an overview of the proposed franchise agreement between the City of Jacksonville Beach, doing business as Beaches Energy Services, and the City of Neptune Beach. General Counsel for the Florida Municipal Power Agency, Jody Finklea, and City Manager for Neptune Beach, Ricky Pike, reviewed the provisions and the key updates \[on file\].

A conversation ensued regarding the proposed franchise agreement.

It was the consensus of the Council for staff to move forward with the proposed franchise agreement, and the Council agreed to consider adoption by resolution pending Neptune Beach's final approval.

Mr. Staffopoulos introduced the discussion as part of Priority #1 from the March 2025 Council Retreat related to downtown revitalization, seeking clarification on whether changes to the CRA structure were needed to better leverage resources.

CRA Coordinator Taylor Mobbs provided information on the current CRA structure and recent project challenges, noting delays were largely related to contractor performance and learning curves rather than governance.

A conversation ensued about identifying best practices to improve efficiency and accelerate project delivery.

Ms. Mobbs introduced the discussion as a follow-up to the March 2025 Council Retreat, which focused on developing an action plan to revitalize the downtown area, including consideration of increased code enforcement in the downtown district.

* * *

A conversation ensued regarding citation-based enforcement models, coordination with Police and Code Enforcement, and the importance of balancing enforcement with City accountability.

It was the consensus of the Council to support further CRA review of downtown-focused code enforcement options, and the Council requested recommendations be brought back for consideration.

FDOT Initiatives

Mr. Staffopoulos introduced Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) initiatives, including pedestrian crossing improvements along A1A, a potential roundabout at the JTB/Marsh Landing Parkway intersection, and a preliminary A1A corridor redesign. Director of Public Works Dennis Barron explained the City's role was limited to coordination and support, as the roadways are within FDOT right-of-way.

A conversation ensued regarding the three FDOT Initiatives. It was the consensus of the Council to support prioritizing a pedestrian crossing at 5th Avenue South along A1A and support the installation of a roundabout at the JTB offramp at Marsh Landing Boulevard. Additionally, the Council requested more information and/or a presentation on the proposed A1A mobility improvements as the project enters FDOT's work program.

Sea Turtle Protection Communication

Mr. Staffopoulos introduced the item following prior Council direction to improve coordination and proactive outreach ahead of nesting season. Communications Manager Jacob Board outlined plans for early messaging, coordination with Beaches Energy Services, Beaches Go Green, and Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol, and expanded outreach to condominiums and short-term rentals using cost-effective educational materials.

It was the consensus of the Council to move forward with a coordinated, proactive sea turtle protection communication effort for the upcoming nesting season.

Committee Assignment Report

Council Member Golding provided updates from a recent Florida League of Cities (FLC) Municipal Operations Committee meeting and Advocacy Committee meeting.

Council Member Wagner provided an update from the recent FLC Finance and Taxation Committee meeting.

Miscellaneous City Manager's Items

Mr. Staffopoulos asked the Council for their preference on the day of the week for a future Council Retreat.A conversation ensued,and the Council's consensus was to hold the retreat on a Friday.

Mr. Staffopoulos advised the Council an item will be included on the upcoming Council meeting consent agenda to accept public infrastructure for the North Beach Townhomes project, related to approved right-of-way improvements, with a warranty bond in place. Mr. Barron provided additional clarifying information.

Future Briefing Topics

Mr. Staffopoulos distributed the City Council briefing calendar \[on file\] for January through April and noted a Special Council Briefing scheduled in March for the Annual Financial Reports Audit.

Mayor Hoffman reminded Council Members of the upcoming City Manager annual review and encouraged the timely submission of comments. Ms. Hoffman also invited Council Members to attend the December 16th Annual City holiday luncheon and shared a request from American Legion Post 129 for a Council Member to serve as a judge for a December 20th high school oratory contest.

The Briefing adjourned at 7:45 P.M.

Submitted by: Jodilynn Byrd Deputy City Clerk

Christine H. Hoffman, MAYOR

Date: 120/26