Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 9:30 AM City of Jacksonville 117 W. Duval Street Jacksonville, FL 32202 Meeting Minutes Council Chamber, 1st Floor, City Hall Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Will Lahnen, Chair - Excused Ju’Coby Pittman, Vice Chair Rahman Johnson Ken Amaro Matt Carlucci Reggie Gaffney, Jr. - Early Departure 10:00 AM Tyrona Clark-Murray Legislative Assistant: Vanessa Galan Council Auditor's Office: Edward Linsky Council Research: Steven Libby Office of General Counsel: Carla Schell Administration: Bill Delaney Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 COUNCIL RULE 4.505 DISRUPTION OF MEETING Any person who disrupts a regular meeting of the City Council, standing committees, special or select committees, sub-committees or any other public meeting presided over by a City Council Member may be forthwith barred, removed, or otherwise ejected, in the discretion of the presiding officer, from further attendance at that meeting. If necessary, due to the nature of the disruption, the audience may be cleared from the Council Chambers or meeting location in the discretion of the presiding officer. Any person who refuses to leave the City Council Chamber may be subject to arrest. Disruption of a meeting includes the following types of behaviors: 1) Any form of political campaigning or electioneering regarding a specific candidate or group of candidates in City elections; 2) Impeding the orderly progress of the meeting by shouting, yelling, whistling, chanting, singing, dancing, clapping, foot stomping, snapping fingers, cheering, jeering, using artificial noise makers or musical instruments, waving signs of any size, or engaging in any other display of excessive noise, sounds, or movement; 3) Displaying or waving signs of any sort, except where used to support the speaker’s presentation at the podium, and only where the sign is 21 inches by 21 inches or smaller in size and cannot be displayed in a manner which unreasonably obstructs the view of the dais for any member of the audience, regardless of message; 4) Audible noise from cellphones or other electronic devices; 5) Consumption of alcohol or controlled substances; 6) Making vulgar or offensive remarks or gestures, or using threatening language or gestures, including but not limited to pantomiming discharging a firearm, choking, or throat-cutting; 7) Refusing to stop speaking when his or her time has expired or is otherwise directed by the presiding officer to do so due to disruptive behavior as described herein; 8) Returning to the meeting after having been removed or ejected, or attempting to do so. Page 1 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 Meeting Convened: 9:30 AM Meeting Adjourned: 10:58 AM 6 - Ju'Coby Pittman, Rahman Johnson, Matt Carlucci, Reggie Gaffney Jr., Tyrona Clark-Murray and Ken Amaro Present: 1 - Will LahnenExcused: Attendance: CM Boylan: 2026-137 CM White: Visiting Presentation on FY 24/25 Recycling Report Page 2 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 Eric Fuller, Office of Administrative Services – Solid Waste Division, presented the Annual Recycling Report for fiscal year 2024-25. He provided an overview of the City's Residential Recycling Program, including its basis in Section 380, Part 5 of the Ordinance Code. Mr. Fuller reviewed the list of accepted recyclable items, including those that are household hazardous waste facility items, and summarized the residential waste haulers contracted by the City and their respective service areas and that the urban core is served by the City’s own haulers. Mr. Fuller then explained that all recyclables are collected curbside every other week in a City-owned recycling cart, either 64 or 96 gallons, and delivered to Republic Services' recycling processing facility by the City's three subcontract haulers and its own haulers. Mr. Fuller outlined materials that are accepted or not accepted for recycling due to either having no market value or no feasibility to process/recycle by the recycling processing facility. He noted that the City communicates with Republic Services regarding the market value of recyclables and potential new markets. Mr. Fuller gave an overview of the over 9400 complaints received for the 2024-25 fiscal year regarding the recycling program broken down by service area and complaint type. He then outlined the percentage and volume of collected recyclable materials by type. Mr. Fuller reported that they have continued efforts to improve the recycling program through collaboration with other City departments, Republic Services, and several third parties. He also gave an overview of the division's public education efforts and outreach efforts to encourage recycling. Mr. Fuller then provided a financial overview of the recycling program. Expenditures include collections ($12,321,734), processing fee ($3,987,962), and contaminant disposal ($135,910) while the City receives revenues from the sale of recyclables ($1,860,417) that are split 50/50 between the City and Republic Services. Additionally, 30,360.78 tons of recyclables were diverted from landfill, resulting in $714,371 in landfill air space savings. He also explained that the market value of each recyclable commodity fluctuates, noting that glass was the only material with a negative market value. Finally, Mr. Fuller provided a list of department recommendations including several ways to increase outreach, compliance, and education efforts, maintain an appropriate recycle cart budget to provide carts to new residents and repair/replace older carts, and continue monitoring commodity markets especially glass. CM Carlucci asked Mr. Fuller to elaborate on the glass market. Mr. Fuller explained that the City currently pays $50 per ton to have glass recycled. He noted that other Florida communities have abandoned glass recycling due to cost and that the company accepting the City's glass is also experiencing difficulties. CM Carlucci emphasized the importance of continuing to recycle glass, despite the cost, to prevent glass from ending up in landfills. CM Amaro asked Mr. Fuller about the number of missing recycling carts, the department's recycling participation goals, and who bears the cost of the $50 per ton glass recycling fee. Mr. Fuller informed CM Amaro that the City had a backlog of cart requests and received funding to fulfill it. CM Amaro then asked for further clarification on why there are 2,381 missing carts. Mr. Fuller explained that recycling carts are intended to remain with the property when residents move, but are often taken by Page 3 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 departing residents. He added that carts also go missing for various reasons. Mr. Fuller then addressed CM Amaro's question regarding glass costs, explaining that the $50 per ton glass recycling fee is split 50/50 between the City and Republic Services, consistent with how they split recyclable revenues. Mr. Fuller then addressed CM Amaro's question regarding participation goals, explaining that the estimated participation rate is 50–60% depending on the area. He noted that the department aims to increase that rate through education and outreach efforts. CM Clark-Murray asked Mr. Fuller whether schools participate in the recycling program. Mr. Fuller explained that the City does not provide recycling services to schools, only to residential and small commercial properties. CM Clark-Murray noted that schools generate significant amounts of paper and would be natural targets for expanding the recycling program. She also emphasized the importance of teaching children the value of recycling early. CM Johnson asked Mr. Fuller whether the department has educational curricula for schools on recycling and whether the department currently uses mascot characters to promote recycling to children. Mr. Fuller stated that it does not have either. CM Johnson recommended developing both and offered to assist the department in developing the curricula. Mr. Fuller noted that schools can arrange field trips to Republic Services' recycling center and that Republic Services' website, recyclingsimplified.com, offers educational materials for schools. CM Johnson asked Mr. Fuller how much revenue the City received from recycling. He indicated that Mr. Fuller could follow up with him on that question at a later time. CM Pittman, Acting Chair, asked Mr. Fuller whether the department has the capacity to partner with the school board and local colleges on recycling initiatives, including developing internship opportunities. Mr. Fuller explained that the department does not currently have a dedicated outreach coordinator for those efforts but can use existing channels such as social media and the recyclingsimplified.com website for outreach that does not require additional staffing. CM Boylan asked Mr. Fuller whether bottle caps are recyclable. Mr. Fuller explained that caps can be left on if they are the same material as the bottle. Page 4 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 Item/File No. Title History 1. ORD re Ch 745 (Addressing & Street Naming Regulations), Ord Code; Estab an Honorary Street Desig & Associated Roadway Markers for Cedric Burrell; Estab an Honorary Street Desig on 16th St E Extending btwn Main St & Hubbard St in Council Dist. 7 for Cedric Burrell; Prov for the Installation of 2 Honorary Roadway Markers to Be Located in Appropriate Locations on the Desig Road in Council Dist. 7; Waiving the Requirement of Subsec 745.105(i)(2), Ord Code, that the Honoree to Be Deceased for at Least 5 Yrs; Waiving the Requirement of Subsec 745.105(i)(3), Ord Code, that the Honoree Reside in the Community within 5 Miles of the Street Being Desig for at Least 10 Yrs; Directing the Legislative Svcs Div to Forward a Copy of this Ord, Once Enacted, to the Public Works Dept, Traffic Engineering & Addressing Divs, for Processing, Implementation & Coordination with the Applicant & Other Affected Agencies & Orgs (Pollock) (Introduced by CM Peluso)(Co-Sponsors CMs Pittman & Johnson) 1/13/26 CO Introduced: NCSPHS, R, TEU 1/20/26 NCSPHS Read 2nd & Rerefer 1/20/26 R Read 2nd & Rerefer 1/21/26 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer 1/27/26 CO PH Read 2nd & Rerefer 2/3/26 TEU PH Only 3/17/26 TEU PH Only TEU PH Pursuant to Sec 336.10, F.S. - 2/3/26 & 4/7/26 Public Hearing Pursuant to Ch 166, F.S. & C.R. 3.601 - 1/27/26 & 4/14/26 2026-0005 PH ADD'L 4/7/2026 Acting Chair Pittman opened and continued the public hearing. 2. ORD Approp $3,100,000 from New Berlin Rd (Cedar Pt to Starrt/Pulsky) - Other Construction Costs Acct, to Prov Funding for the City’s Acquisition of 5 Parcels of Land, all Located in Jax, FL, in Council Dist 2 & 8, as Required for the Completion of the New Berlin Rd Improvement Proj, with Such Parcels Identified as follows: 12630 Yellow Bluff Rd (R.E. #: 106930-0030), 0 New Berlin Rd (R.E. #: 106536-0235), 0 New Berlin Rd (R.E. #: 106536-0210), 3696 New Berlin Rd (R.E. #: 106548-0000), & 3694 New Berlin Rd (R.E. #: 106548-0050) (Collectively, the Property); Appv & Auth the Mayor, or Her Designee, & the Corp Sec to Execute & Deliver those Certain Real Estate Purchase & Sale Agrmts Required for the City to Effectuate its Acquisition of the Propty, as follows: Real Estate Purchase & Sale Agrmt Btwn the COJ & Lucy Paret & Jorge Monzon for the Purchase of 12630 Yellow Bluff Rd (R.E. #: 106930-0030) for the Negotiated Purchase Price of $1,190,000, Real Estate Purchase & Sale Agrmt Btwn the COJ & Donald Heath Williams for the Purchase of 0 New Berlin Rd (R.E. #: 106536-0235) & 0 New Berlin Rd (R.E. #: 106536-0210) for the Negotiated Purchase Price of $958,245, & Real Estate Purchase & Sale Agrmt Btwn the COJ & New Cedar Point Properties, LLC, a FL 2026-0136 Page 5 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 LLC, for the Purchase of 3696 New Berlin Rd (R.E. #: 106548-0000), & 3694 New Berlin Rd (R.E. #: 106548-0050) for a Negotiated Purchase Price of $768,400 (Collectively, the Agrmts), & all Closing & Other Docs Contemplated Therein or Relating Thereto, & to Otherwise Take all Necessary Action to Effectuate the Purposes of the Agrmts to Purchase the Subj Propty at a Total Negotiated Purchase Price, Inclusive of Closing & Related Costs, not to Exceed $3,100,000; Prov for Oversight by the Real Estate Div of the Public Works Dept for the Acquisition of the Propty & by the Dept of Public Works, Engineering & Construction Mgmt Div Thereafter (Wilson) (Introduced by CM Gay) (Co-sponsor CM White) 2/24/26 CO Introduced: NCSPHS, TEU, F 3/2/26 NCSPHS Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/3/26 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/3/26 F Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/10/26 CO PH Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/16/26 NCSPHS Amend/Approve 7-0 3/17/26 TEU Amend/Approve 5-0 3/17/26 F Amend/Aprove 5-0 Public Hearing Pursuant to Ch 166, F.S. & C.R. 3.601 - 3/10/26 AMEND/APPROVE 5 - Pittman, Johnson, Carlucci, Clark-Murray and AmaroAye: 1 - LahnenExcused: The amendment was moved and seconded. Ed Linsky, Council Auditor’s Office, explained the amendment. The amendment was approved unanimously. AMENDMENT 1. Attach Revised Exhibit 1 (BT) to correct account codes 2. Authorize amendment of the 2025-505-E Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan to reflect appropriation between expenditure types and attach CIP sheet as a new Exhibit 3. Correct Scrivener’s • Total project costs anticipated to be approximately $43 million (all funds previously appropriated) • Proposed acquisition of the following properties: - 12630 Yellow Bluff Rd. – +/- 2.09 acres – $1,190,000 - 0 New Berlin Rd. (2 parcels) – +/- 3.4 acres – $958,245 - 3696 & 3694 New Berlin Rd. – +/- 2.13 acres – $768,400 3. ORD Relating to the Council Rules; Amend Council Rules 2.202 (Attendance; Voting) & 2.210 (Rules in Committee), Pt 2 (Committee Procedure), Ch 2 2026-0137 Page 6 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 (Committees), Council Rules, to Address Council Member Attendance & Auth Absences for Standing Committee Meetings & the Required Quorum for Council Standing Committees; Amend Council Rule 4.106 (Quorum), Pt 1 (Meetings; Quorum), Ch 4 (Procedures), Council Rules, to Address Council Member Attendance & Auth Absences for Council Meetings; Estab a Prospective Date of 7/1/26, for the Council Rule Amends Prov Herein to Become Effective (Staffopoulos) (Introduced by CM Boylan) (Co-Sponsor CM Diamond) 2/24/26 CO Introduced: NCSPHS, R, TEU, F, LUZ 3/2/26 NCSPHS Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/2/26 R Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/3/26 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/3/26 F Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/3/26 LUZ Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/10/26 CO PH Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/16/26 NCSPHS Approve 6-1 (Gay) 3/16/26 R Amend/Approve 6-0 3/17/26 TEU Amend/Approve 5-0 3/17/26 F Amend/Aprove 5-0 3/17/26 LUZ Amend/Approve 7-0 Public Hearing Pursuant to Ch 166, F.S. & C.R. 3.601 - 3/10/26 AMEND/APPROVE 5 - Pittman, Johnson, Carlucci, Clark-Murray and AmaroAye: 1 - LahnenExcused: Page 7 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 The Rules amendment was moved and seconded. Ed Linsky, Council Auditor's Office, explained the Rules amendment. CM Johnson asked about the necessity of the Rules amendment to the bill. CM Boylan explained that the Rules amendment is intended to ensure that committee members who are present participate in every vote, rather than leaving the room to avoid voting. CM Johnson expressed concern that adjusting the quorum requirements could be confusing, noting that Council Members are juggling multiple responsibilities. Carla Schell, OGC, provided further clarification on the quorum and voting requirements under the Rules amendment. CM Johnson emphasized the importance of ensuring that committee chairs retain flexibility under the amended rules. CM Carlucci asked whether the bill requires five members to vote. CM Boylan explained that if six members are present, the requirement is five, and if five members are present, the requirement is four. CM Carlucci asked whether the committee could still vote if one of the six members present leaves for an emergency. CM Boylan stated that it could not. The Rules amendment was approved unanimously. CM Boylan gave an overview of the bill and its intent, providing a handout highlighting the bill's whereas clauses. Carla Schell, OGC, clarified that Council Members who are out of the room when a vote occurs are not recorded as voting in the affirmative but are recorded as having no vote. Ms. Schell added that if a Council Member is seated and within reach of the voting device when a vote occurs and does not vote, that member is recorded as voting in the affirmative. CM Carlucci expressed support for the bill, citing a trend of increased absences. He also expressed a desire for the attendance requirements to apply to the public comment period of City Council meetings. However, he expressed concern that committee chairs could use the excusal authority to punitively remove members from committees and stated he would file legislation to repeal the rule change if he observes the authority being abused. CM Johnson questioned whether the bill would improve governance or impose rigid requirements that limit discretion. CM Johnson asked CM Boylan if other legislative bodies had a similar rule in place. CM Boylan stated that he had not researched whether other communities have similar rules but introduced the bill in response to a concerning trend of increasing absences. CM Johnson stated that he had conducted research and found no examples of other legislative bodies with a similar rule. CM Boylan responded that during his tenure, one LUZ Committee meeting was unable to proceed due to a lack of quorum. CM Johnson asked whether the attendance records revealed a pattern that needed to be addressed. CM Boylan confirmed that Colleen Hampsey, Chief of Research, had provided attendance data, and cited Council Rule 4.501, which states that no member present at a Council meeting shall absent themselves without permission from the chair, and noted that members are already leaving without obtaining permission and that the Chair is not enforcing the rule. CM Johnson asked CM Boylan if the bill allows the chair to give discretion for excused absences outside of medical and military reasons. CM Boylan stated that the chair has discretion to excuse absences outside of medical and military reasons, provided Page 8 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 the member gives prior notice. However, he noted that if the departing member is the fifth member present, their absence would eliminate quorum and prevent the committee from voting. CM Johnson expressed concern that the bill reduces the discretion of the committee chair and the Council President but stated that he would support the bill to move it out of committee and indicated he may introduce a floor amendment at the Council meeting. Carla Schell, OGC, reminded the committee that under Florida Statute 286.012, members of a public body who are present at a meeting are required to vote on all matters unless they have a conflict or possible conflict of interest. CM Johnson asked whether the bill would be placed on the Consent Agenda at the Council meeting. Ms. Schell confirmed that it would not. Page 9 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 RULES AMENDMENT 1. Clarify that, in the event there are two excused absences for a standing committee meeting, the quorum shall be reduced to four members for that meeting 2. Correct Scrivener's • Amends Council Rule 2.202 (Attendance; voting) to: - Clarify written requests are required for excusals from standing, special, and select committee meetings - Add provision that no more than one Council Member may be excused from a regular meeting of a standing committee with the exception that additional absences may be authorized for a medical reason for a Council Member or relative of a Council Member and when a Council Member is ordered into military service - Revise language regarding unexcused absences to specify that failure to attend three regular meetings of a standing committee (instead of three consecutive meetings) or three consecutive meetings of a special or select committee (instead of three meetings) without approval of the committee chair during a given Council year will constitute automatic withdrawal from the committee (instead of automatic withdrawal upon recommendation by the chair to the President) - Add provision that each committee chair will announce how they intend to address absences and excusals at the outset of each Council year • Amends Council Rule 2.210 (Rules in Committee) to: - Establish the quorum for standing committees as 5 members (instead of a majority of its members) • Amends Council Rule 4.106 (Quorum) to: - Add limit of no more than two excused absences for any regular meeting of the Council, with the exception that additional absences may be authorized for a medical reason for a Council Member or relative of a Council Member and when a Council Member is ordered into military service - Require unexcused absences to be announced at the beginning of each Council meeting - Add provision that the Council President will announce how they intend to address absences and excusals at the outset of each Council year • Establishes a prospective date of July 1, 2026 for the proposed changes to become effective 4. ORD Re Ch 745 (Addressing & Street Naming Regulations), Ord Code; Renaming Confederate St Extending Btwn Hubbard St & Liberty St to “Rose Arbor Way” in Council Dist 7 Pursuant to Sec 745.105 (Public Street Name Changes), Ord Code; Directing the Legislative Svcs Div to Forward a Copy of this Ord, Once Enacted, to the Public Works Dept, Dev Svcs Div, Addressing Sec, for Processing, Implementation, & Coordination with Various City Depts & Other Affected Agencies & Orgs (Pollock) (Introduced by CM Peluso) 2/24/26 CO Introduced: NCSPHS, R, TEU 3/2/26 NCSPHS Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/2/26 R Read 2nd & Rerefer 2026-0140 Page 10 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 3/3/26 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/10/26 CO PH Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/17/26 TEU PH Only TEU PH Pursuant to Ch 745 Ord Code - 3/17/26 & 4/7/26 Public Hearing Pursuant to Ch 166, F.S. & C.R. 3.601 - 3/10/26 & 4/14/26 PH ADD'L 4/7/2026 Acting Chair Pittman opened the public hearing. Blake Harper expressed opposition to the bill. Acting Chair Pittman continued the public hearing. 5. ORD Closing & Abandoning &/or Disclaiming Unopened & Unimproved Portions of 3 Unnamed R/W, Estab in the Plat of Jacksonville Farms, as Recorded in Plat Bk 3, Pg 41, of the Current Official Public Records of Duval County, FL, Located in Council Dist 12, at the Req of JEA (Wilson) (Req of Mayor) 2/24/26 CO Introduced: TEU 3/3/26 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/10/26 CO PH Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/17/26 TEU PH Approve 5-0 TEU PH Pursuant to Sec 336.10, F.S. - 3/17/26 Public Hearing Pursuant to Ch 166, F.S. & C.R. 3.601 - 3/10/26 2026-0141 PH APPROVE 5 - Pittman, Johnson, Carlucci, Clark-Murray and AmaroAye: 1 - LahnenExcused: Acting Chair Pittman opened the public hearing. John Nooney expressed support for the bill. Carnell Oliver expressed support for the bill. Acting Chair Pittman closed the public hearing. • Closure requested by JEA for construction of solar facility 6. ORD Amend the JTA FY 24-25 Budget; Amend Ord 2024-514-E by Amend Revised Schedule O (Estimated Operating Revs) & Revised Schedule P (Operating Expenditures) to Approp Add’l Revs to Offset Increased Operating Expenses Exceeding the Appvd JTA Budget for FY 24-25 (Staffopoulos) (Req of the JTA) 2/24/26 CO Introduced: TEU, F 3/3/26 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer 2026-0146 Page 11 of 12 Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes March 17, 2026 3/3/26 F Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/10/26 CO PH Read 2nd & Rerefer Public Hearing Pursuant to Ch 166, F.S. & C.R. 3.601 - 3/10/26 DEFER 7. ORD Apv & Auth the Mayor, or Her Desig, & the Corp Sec to Execute & Deliver that Certain Stipulation of Parties for the Permanent Closure of 8th St E Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing, FDOT Crossing No. 713594W, & the Opening of Otis Rd Public Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing, btwn the City & the FDOT; Prov for Oversight by the Dept of Public Works (Sawyer) (Req of Mayor) 3/10/26 CO Introduced: NCSPHS, TEU 3/16/26 NCSPHS Read 2nd & Rerefer 3/17/26 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer Public Hearing Pursuant to Ch 166, F.S. & C.R. 3.601 - 3/24/26 2026-0188 READ 2ND & REREFER NOTE: The next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2026. *****Note: Items may be added at the discretion of the Chair.***** Pursuant to the American with Disabilities Act, accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please allow 1-2 business days notification to process; last minute requests will be accepted; but may not be possible to fulfill. Please contact Disabled Services Division at: V 904-255-5466, TTY-904-255-5476, or email your request to KaraT@coj.net. Minutes: Steven Libby, Council Research slibby@coj.net, (904) 255-5147 Posted: 3/20/26, 12:00 p.m. Page 12 of 12