Land Use & Zoning Committee

>> good morning. It's 9 o'clock. I'd like to call the order to order. >> Today's meeting of the Transportation energy and Utilities Committee. We'll begin with introductions from the left. >> Morning Bill Delaney and mayor's office, Steven Levy Council Research. >> Carla Shell Office of General >> Edward Linskey Council auditors Peterson counselor. >> Good morning. On a holder at large group. One. Good morning, Matt Carlucci at large group for our City Council district Good morning. Jamie Plusa District 7. Good morning, Rob. Where Morning, Nick Allen at large group, 3. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT visiting. On today's agenda. We have 7 actionable items 2026 era 6.44 >> 2026, 0, 6, 6, 2, 26, 0, 7, 0, 2, 2026, 0, 7, 0, 4, 2026, 0, 7, 0, 9, 2026. 0, 7, 0 20. And on the last page, we have an emergency action on 2026, 0, 7, 80. This morning. Our meeting will begin with a presentation from the aviation Authority. It's MISS Megan here. Good morning, Megan. Please come down. Few days ago, I was at the regional Planning Council and she gave a very impressive. Presentation as to what takes place behind the scenes at the airport and event of an emergency. And I thought it would be informational as well as educational for the Tu Committee to be able to see the presentation mission. >> Megan, you have floor. You have 15 minutes. >> Thank you, Sir. Good Morning. Council members. My name is Megan Smalling. I am the emergency preparedness manager at the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. And I have served in this role for the last 15 years. I'm responsible for the prevention of response to mitigation of recovery of natural and manmade disasters that could impact our for airport system here in Jacksonville. And one of the other events. And I'm really proud to be a part of is the aviation disaster exercise posted out our international airport. Which is what I would like to introduce you all to to When you hear the words aviation disaster exercise, you probably picture an aircraft accident, fire trucks, ambulances, law enforcement, and a lot of people pretending to be injured. And yes, we do all of that. Exercise we're preparing for has become much bigger than that because when a catastrophic event occurs at an airport, the incident MAY begin at the airport, but its consequences do not stay there. Today. I would like to talk to you about how are aviation disaster exercise has evolved from an airport exercise into something much more representative of what emergency management really looks like today. Community and regional resilience exercise for northeast Florida. There is, of course, a regulatory component to all of this. All commercial service airports are required to conduct full-scale exercises to demonstrate their ability to respond to aviation incidents. But we also exercise because we want to find the problems before we have a real disaster. Can our communication systems handle the volume? Can our responders court date across agencies? Can we move resources where they are needed? Can we manage information? And perhaps most importantly, can we sustain the response after the initial emergency is over? This exercise gives us an opportunity to answer those questions in a controlled environment. This is not something that suddenly became a community-wide event. It has evolved over time earlier exercises focused heavily on the immediate response to the aircraft accident. Fire rescue, ems, law enforcement and incident command. And as we progressed, the exercise became more complex. We began bringing in more agencies more realistic role players and an aircraft simulator given to us donated for the day by Nas Jax by 2023. We were deliberately moving beyond the initial response. We incorporated a family assistance center airlines, humanitarian organizations and other partners. We started asking a different question. What happens after the aircraft accident? And that's where this exercise really begins to look like an airport less like an airport rail and more like a community disaster. This is what we're focusing on heavily this year. We have read the after action reports of recent aviation disasters across our country. We are taking lessons learned from other airports and incorporating them into ours. We want to be prepared for the unknown and make sure that our community partners are also prepared for the unique challenges aviation disaster could bring to us here in northeast Florida. This is probably the most important concept. I would like to leave you all with. The airport is the point of impact. But the community becomes the response environment. Think about what happens a major aviation disaster. We immediately have public safety and health care impacts. We have families who need information and assistance. We have transportation impacts. We have businesses and airlines trying to understand what is happening. We have elected officials and government organizations receiving information requests. We have media and public information challenges. And depending on the incident we can have economic and regional impacts. So although the aircraft MAY be sitting on our airport property, the emergency management problem quickly becomes much larger than the airport itself. One of the biggest changes in our approach has been recognizing that the disaster does not end when the fire is out. The initial response is incredibly important, but it's only the beginning. What happens to the victims and their families? How do we communicate accurate information? How do we manage resources? How do we transition from response to recovery? How do we restore airport operations? How do we support the organizations and people affected by the incident? Those our emergency management problems and those are problems that do not belong to just one agency. Ultimately, we are not trying to prove that we have a perfect emergency plan because we do not. No emergency plan survives contact with reality completely intact. What we are really testing is where our plan breaks down. Ken information move quickly enough. Can organizations coordinate when they are all dealing with competing priorities. Do we have enough people and resources and can we transition from response to recovery without losing our momentum? These are the things that we can learn from an exercise that we simply cannot learn from just reading an exercise plan or emergency plan. A major aviation incident here in Jacksonville involve multiple jurisdictions and multiple systems almost immediately. And we cannot build those relationships after the disaster happens. We have to build them beforehand. That is one of the greatest benefits exercise like this. We are not just testing radios, plants and equipment. We are building relationships. We are learning who does what and what does what we're learning, who needs what information? And we're learning who we can call when something does not go. According to that plan. Because during a real emergency, we do not want to be exchanging business cards for the first time at the scene of the incident. So we talk about a 2026 aviation disaster exercise. I do not want people to think of it is simply an airport exercise is an opportunity to bring together the systems that make northeast Florida work. It is an opportunity to identify vulnerabilities before real event. It is an opportunity to strengthen relationships before we need that. And it is an opportunity to improve not only how we respond, but Howie recover. Because aviation emergencies MAY begin at our airport. Resilience is a community responsibility. So before I conclude I would like to extend a personal invitation to the members of City Council to join us on OCTOBER. 21st for a full-scale aviation disaster. Exercise. This is an opportunity for you all to see firsthand the coordination, planning and partnerships that go into preparing our region for an aviation disaster. We would be honored to have you attend and observe the exercise and see how our agencies and community partners work together here in northeast Florida. We welcome your participation. Is observers. I would happy to coordinate the details of your visit. And with that to you all have any questions. >> Thank you, MR. Small. Very nice presentation. When you said being. Prepared for the unknown, reminded me of the Latin expression. >> Act, Victoria Caron. Simply means preparation brings victory. We have an income. You missed your Opelousas. Thank you, the presentation. My question was what time on the 21st? Of course, >> so the exercise actually kicks off at 10:00am and it runs until 03:00pm. If you're just interested in seeing the airfield portion of the exercise, which is going to be the crash and then it's going to be our first responders triage ing and transporting are victims that starts on the airfield at 10. Our Family Assistance Center will be coordinated concurrently with that at 10:00am over at the DoubleTree Hotel on airport property. So that's where our humanitarian organizations, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Tri-State Canines will be there exercising their family assistance response plans. >> Excellent. Thank you. And of course, I want to see the crash. I mean, of course, there for and also, I will also say, and we did not get the fire simulator from Nas Jack's this year, but we do have the helicopter prop from Naval Station Mayport. Joining us this year. As long as you lay something on, we are lighting the helicopter on >> Thank you again. Arias. >> I couple questions. Number one is how often do do these kind of trainings? Are there different types of trainings throughout the years of the same training every year? >> Sure. So we are required by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct this magnitude of an exercise. Every 36 calendar months. So we have to exercise an aviation disaster throughout the year. We conduct smaller tabletop exercises and then we have conducted to full-scale active assailant exercises in previous years. But this one is the requirement for the faa. And so it has to be to this scale. That is. So this is once every 3 years, yes, average. Okay. Cool. And then the last question to chair would be. >> What government agencies normally when there's a big crash to happen. I mission Red Cross, Salvation Army. But like, are there any government agencies that also get involved and are they going to be here at the simulation as well, too? But aside from comic, alright of Jacksonville? >> Yes so. We've had in the past. We've had not. We have extended the invitation to Nassau County Fire Rescue Nassau County Sheriff's Office. We also have Saint Johns County Sheriff's Office has participated. Clay County. We also have participants coming all the way from Flagler County to observe the exercise. But as far as the first responder agencies which really, really try to focus on Jacksonville because recognizing they would be the freshman's, my eyes. My question is. Well, I know that there's gonna be firefighters, but if there was ever a crash to happen, GOD forbid, anywhere. >> Are there any other government agencies like in the state or federal that have also be involved in these kind of scenarios in real life. And are they going to be here for this training as well, too? >> Absolutely. So on the federal side, we have the fbi. We have atf, we've extended invitations to them. I believe the fbi's attending. I don't believe that atf is. We also have Customs and Border Protection attending this year because our scenario does involved and international diverted aircraft so they would be heavily involved. We also are partnering with the Florida Air National Guard because the other aircraft that is crashing is their aircraft. So we're testing that. And then as far as a real incident, but they will not be in attendance is the ntsb, the National Transportation Safety Board. So those are going to be our primary federal agencies partner with us. If this was a real world of that here. >> Perfect. Thank you. Absolutely. Again, thank you for all your presentation this morning. My my my prayers are that we never have to experience it. But it's comforting to know that you guys are diligently working to be ready in the event. So thank you. Alright committee, turning to the agenda, turn to Page 8 item 2026, 0, 7, 80. But before we take up the bill, we have a presentation from the chance Transportation Authority. Thank Good morning, MR. CHAIRMAN members of the committee as council PRESIDENT Cleveland, Ferguson jta just the presentation that you all just heard with respect to. >> Not having the disaster occur and that being the first time that we're interacting with each other. I'm thankful that we have had a partnership over all of these years working together to go from our board, approving the language. That is the substance of this proposed legislation to the council PRESIDENT Agreeing to adding it has a an emergency and working with the mayor and administration on drafting the language. All shows the the partnership that the jta is in need of and this particular circumstance. We are asking for the ability to utilize funds that we've collected since 2021. From the Yellow gt 2 funds to help start Fy 27 in a much more expedient way and being able to meet our financial obligations. This team has taken. That is the shady a leadership team has taken extraordinary action. 2 put this organization where we believe it needs to be to be able to focus and function on our core services. And I'm going to bring up our cfo Randall Barnes to take you through that process. >> Good morning. Randall Barnes, chief financial officer for jta. I just want to quickly say thank you to the committee and the Council for for Listening to us today about this legislation and considering it and also for working as partners throughout this I'm going to go over the fiscal year, 26 budget creation process and go over the results throughout the year. Fiscal year, 26 as well as talk about the fiscal year, 27 budget. And then provide some context about about what happened during that time. And then a quick discussion about this particular bill. So the jta, the jta board approved this fiscal year, 26 budget in MAY of 2025. Fiscal year 2025. Results show sales tax revenues. 8.3 million under budget continue that ran from the prior year with a total shortfall. 19 Million. So even with a smaller budget fiscal 1st quarter of fiscal year, 26 showed a continued softening of sales tax revenues. And we also had cost pressures that continued, for instance, connection. Plus, costs were not budgeted due to expected service cuts. And costs for Navy and Skyway were higher than we expected. So because of that jta staff recommended amending the fiscal year 26 budget to address the projected revenue shortfall. This slide shows an overview of the fiscal year, 26 budget amendment that the that the board approved in FEBRUARY of 2026. The main drivers for lower expectations were data sales tax receipts interest earnings and passenger fares totaling about 14.2 million dollars. So in order to balance that there were operating expense cuts focused on staffing and services and the same amount. And those came in the form of reductions in force. Plant employee furloughs and professional service contract productions. Even though the Budget Amendment address the expected revenue shortfall, the plan to cut expenses was really not sufficient to address the full costs, provide services. And so that resulted in a a year full, really, of of of deficits. This gives an overview of the reporting that took place throughout fiscal year, 26. So we make quarterly reports to the to the the city council through the counselor's office. And then we make monthly reports to the jta board. Shown the quarterly information here. And as you can see in q one q two reports, the city of Jacksonville jta reported year-to-date deficits but staff projected to near flat and both of those quarters. It can be challenging to do projections at the end qb one because there's still so much left in the year. Qt projections really should have been more informed because we already had a 15, 16 million dollar deficit. That point. The jta board reports throughout the year substantially. Mayor their reports to the city. But the council auditors did take note and informed us of a reporting error had been occurring. Related to the lgbt one Remy's. We had actually budgeted a net amount that was native debt service. But we're we're reporting actual throughout the year with that any taking into account the debt service that need to be paid. So in essence, the issue was worse than the nit actually seen this. We went throughout the year. That was corrected in in the JUNE report to the council otters in that the key 3 report, didn't that that occurred after our Board report that we correct, correct. And that in JULY and AUGUST border report's. Currently, we still expect to have about a 39 million dollar deficit as of SEPTEMBER 30th. We're still. Closing out the books for fiscal year, 26, but we will need to make an amendment to the 26 budget here for the council. So that should be coming in the in the coming months. So just to summarize fiscal year, 26, the budget was flawed. We had optimistic revenue projections and the supporting cost to provide service the service levels that we were trying to provide the budget amendment in FEBRUARY of 26. Largely fix the projected revenue shortfall. Excuse me. But the costs were insufficient. The cost reductions were insufficient. Staff recommended and the jta board approved route changes in fair modifications earlier this year. And those were to be implemented in fiscal year. 27, the fare modifications going place on JANUARY. 1st. There were various as you as you've seen various financial reporting issues. So there are errors and lack of rigour and variance analysis and fiscal year-end projections. Not helpful at all for for leadership and the board and reporting in for for decisions to be made. If you don't really have great reporting to understand what you need to do. The revenues were insufficient, led to the depletion of our reserve balances and a significant buildup and payables. The lot of credit was authorized to provide liquidity support. And that was used to cover voices and give jta time to make necessary adjustments. And MISS Leadership changes. We took delivered action in SEPTEMBER to insure costs were supported by available revenues and start the fiscal new fiscal year. And a matter. That was a consistent with a healthy organization. The fiscal year 27 budget was approved earlier this year. It was approved at 139.2 million and and then approved last month by the council. During the budget hearing process. The council auditors office indicated that the revenue assumptions seemed reasonable that had a large number. The comments about the expense functions. And so we we took that back and performed a comprehensive review of the existing cost commitments and confirmed that the ability proceed without implementing significant cost reductions was was literally impossible. So the actions that we took over the last few weeks were designed specifically to ensure we're able to stay within the 139.2 million dollar budget. And that includes some additional flexibility with regard to debt service of one and a half million on the lot of credit as well as a small contingency to allow for an expected cost or lower than expected revenues. Surplus, any surplus that we might have in fiscal year, 27 will be used to reduce the line of credit. Or to help rebuild our reserve levels. So what did we do? So we so we took a really close review of our professional service contracts and plans service changes that that added up to about 25 Million. We're a much smaller organization or will be over the next month. We have reductions in force of approximately 200 employees through NOVEMBER. 1st, we've already had seen the departure of 33 administrative colleagues. And 26 operators. Skyway passenger service will end on NOVEMBER first and that he will run through the end of DECEMBER. We are pausing this service not abandoning and not a banding, the assets our team will keep maintaining them. We will be running a modified Saturday schedule beginning NOVEMBER second and there are no impacts to paratransit service. So what are the risk for fiscal year As with any budget we could have lower than expected revenues that we think that our assumptions on the revenue side are conservative and we believe we're in good shape. There could be an impact. A passenger ferry revenue as a result of the service changes. We think that that will be somewhat offset by the plan for increased that begins in JANUARY. Those were factored into the original. Original budget. There could be higher than expected expenditures. We firmly believe that the actions that we've taken already are are sufficient to stay under the budget for fiscal year. 27. In addition, we have implemented systematic budget controls beginning OCTOBER. 1st us to make sure we cannot spend outside of our budget. That wasn't something that we in the past. And then I've also implemented in the process of implementing a business services unit. That will report to me and control and coordinate all financial related activities within each division. So that includes contracting payments. Budget tracking variance, analysis and reporting all within the organization and rolling up to the management team and the board. So management and jta board will have accurate and timely financial information which is necessary to make sure that we can take swift action to mitigate the risk of missing the 27 budget. In addition, this this bill here 2026 0, 7, 8, 0, provides additional headway to help mitigate. There are those 3 us. So just a quick overview of the bill. What it what it does do is it allows jta to borrow at 2 30 million of the lgbt to funds to pay down the line of credit or for ill other eligible expenses. The current balance of those funds is 47 million dollars. And those are currently restricted to only the Yellow gt 2 projects. Jta will pay back the balance of the amount borrowed without interest by SEPTEMBER. 30th 2037. This helps us avoid about 3 million of interest expense over the next 2 years. Or it could be even more of jta needed to renew the line when it expires in 2 years for a longer period of time. This gives jta more time to pay back the amount borrowed and provides more flexibility under the line to help manage cash flows. Should we need it throughout the year? What it doesn't do as it does not change or delay the existing projects and it does not inhibit the ability. For us to discuss lgt to revenues or project plans in the future. So this concludes my comments, my presentation, I'm happy to take any questions that you might have. Thank you, MISTER Barnes lit up but just stand there for a minute. >> Before we entertain questions, I'd like to have the bill move with an emergency. Those emergency. I'll give the floor to our council PRESIDENT. That's the howlin cincy's they introduce or of the bill Ms Allen. >> Thank you, MR. Chair. I appreciate that. And Randall, thanks to the great presentation. I've seen it a couple times now and it's very informative. It says exactly what happened in Fy. 26 and exactly what's going to happen in Fy 27. You're addressing the immediate stabilization needs and I like your get well planned and I like it as much as one can like a get well plan. I mean, there's up to 200 layoffs and my sympathies go to the families involved. But I like how it involves a hard look at all aspects of transit. The jta runs as well as restructuring as well as financial implications. Cleveland said something at the beginning when he introduced this presentation. He said this is a joint effort between the administration council in jta and it was the original proposal for Bill in Twenty-twenty 6, 0, 7, 0, was an emergency in and out to be done on budget night. We decided that that would kind too dramatic to do on budget night. Plus, we wanted to give every standing committee the opportunity to review what happened before they voted on this very important bill. And that's what we've done. Also, the original bill had just 30 million of elo tt 2 funds going down to help going to help jta pay down its line of credit. We instead change that MR. Weinstein's idea to the lone concept for the purpose of ensuring that this is not a taxpayer bailout. Jta is living within its means. They've got to pay back this amount. So I'm comfortable with the bill where it on comfortable the new guidance MR. Barnes and MR. Ferguson looking at how we're getting jta back on the right track and I'm most comfortable with the select Committee starting to Friday to look at both short and long-term correction measures. Thanks. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT MISTER Carlucci. The Barns. I heard you say, I think earlier that the sales taxes were less than expected. >> Do we know what caused that? Through the chair? Councilmember Carlucci, it's it's a combination of just economic downturn as well as there had been the number of sales tax holidays and things like that. That reduced sales taxes, ok? >> All right. Thank you very much. All right. I've got some other members in the queue. Also want to Vice Pittman is here with us and councilmen member Gaffney. They got a little bit late. >> Before we continue the conversation, I'd like to take a vote on the emergency all in favor of the emergency say aye any opposition. Emergency care is going to get a motion on the amendment to the it was an emergency. Can I get motion on the amendment to the emergency bill? Okay. All words. Just move the amendment and it's been second. All in favor of can I get an explanation of the amendment? MISTER Hill. Is there through the chair of the committee. The amendment will fill various blanks and the ordinance and the agreement with the appropriate date reflecting jt age board, approval of the ordinance number various other things. >> That were not known when the Bills filed clarified that jt operational funds, which is a term used to will be referred to as non Elegy t 2 funds within the ordinance of game. And then lastly striking language regarding the expiration of the First Amendment as the First Amendment, which is this document will continue through time, even though there is a centre at Datapoint jta could use these funds that will be reflected the ordinance and they grieve as well. >> Thank you, MR. Peterson, can I get a motion on the bill? That's I'm Moving quickly. All in favor of the amendment. Any opposition? Amendment carries now. Can I get a motion on the bill as an emergency as amended? Hello. All right. Our back to discussions. This up a thank you. Chair through the jta in your projections for ridership. What a what has been the decrease from last year to your new projection. Because now that we now we are decreasing the amount of right here on buses. How much lower has that gone and has that been taken into account? It MAY differ to MR. Personnel out for him in the question chair. >> I'm sorry. Councilmember that threw the chair. Can you repeat the question in a problem? So obviously our revenues we assume are gonna go down. I imagine that's directly correlated with the lack of ridership. I'm wondering as we've now changed the ridership, right change the amount of bus bus rides that that. Happening right now because of where we are? Has the number just plummeted in. Do we know where ridership projections are under the new? Fares routes that we have through the chair to the council member. We are analyzing that very question now through our pilot that we had from JANUARY the end of ridership actually increased. >> And so the demographic in Jacksonville. We have about 87% of our ridership that we would call transit reliant on. Jta services. So it isn't core essential service where effectively many of our customers have no other choice. So we will provide that analysis to you as soon as it's completed and very much like One of the questions that was brought up in this might actually be well, it might be partially with chair. If you don't mind my partners, it might be a part of audit committee of the 30 million that you guys are with working to provide you for the bill. It's it's a low need said. And Europe has backed by a certain time. Is it possible to open up the elegy to you so that the dollars for the 30 million dollars can go straight to you guys for the purposes of of. These activities. So you dot the past back. Through the charities and we wipe away a project or 2 and that we're able to use these dollars for the purpose that we're using. Now. Pardon, I didn't understand that that last part we take away a project or 2 within the list that we have that we approved for the initial lgt back and was a 2021. Us we get rid of one or 2 of those and make up to 30 million that way as opposed to you guys have in the past back. Is that something that's an option? At chair to councilmember I think there are various options that can be discussed of, you know, later on later on this year is to get through the committee and and things like that. So there I think there >> are plenty of options that we can look at and that that would be one of them or thank >> MR. Patterson Zone, the queue to give you some clarity, MISS So I think you kind of went off the range. >> Through the chair to a counselor So this bill amends the inner local agreement as it relates to the Elegy t so jta this 30 million is already in their possession from collection of the past 5 plus years Lgt foot, 2 funds. They're going to use that to address their financial issues. And then as they have surpluses in future years, they will replenish those elegy t 2 funds to continue that 400 50 million plus a list of projects that were approved as part of that 2021 legislation. >> Thank you for clarification. MISTER Peterson missed the areas. >> Thank you. Thank you, MISTER Chair and threw the chair. >> I I have a few questions and I'm gonna go to heart of because I know you guys are going to have more in-depth conversation later on this week. But I do have some concerns, obviously, as we're already looking at this and my biggest concern as council PRESIDENT Just stated, I don't really care about the money on combining the on Saturday only care about the families affected by this, the 200 plus employees that are affected by it. So you mentioned not sky. We're going to be they're going to operations starting NOVEMBER and DECEMBER for both of those out of 200 employees at you. Are laying off or low whatever you want to call it. Are these these operators? Are they also show operators and cooperators because if you're talking about somehow generating more income, more revenue. Yet we're ignoring services. I don't understand how that even in Kuwait less services mean less revenue. So how can we generate more if word going our services? That's one. But then the second part of said is I want to know are these operators, part of an audience. Kai, we system. >> Through the chair, councilmember areas. So I guess. One way to answer the question is charities are very small percentage of our of our overall revenues were. >> Primarily supported by taxes. And so. It is true that a number of the folks impacted will be operators and maintenance ticks we are trying their best to minimize the impact he schedules. What outside of Navy and Skyway. And so we're trying to trying to work that the best that we can. But, you know, changes too ridership is a minimal, really a minimal impact to the revenues? We receive? Interesting. Certain but and said, want to go too h# # o# this committee for this. But >> I want to know how much are we saving annually? Off of these 200 employees? And their primary operators and maintenance tax. How much are we saving? I mean, we do have that number of any chance. >> Through through the chair to councilmember areas. I don't have the number exactly right now are can provide it later. It's a it's a significant amount. Know it's 200 employees and so we went through the discussion today, we're running significant deficits we weren't we weren't able we didn't have enough revenues to cover the services that we were trying to provide. So it's clear that we were. Providing more services than we were capable of using given our revenue structure. When we have these in that conversation later on. >> One thing that I would like to see if you guys can prepare ahead of time would be the breakdown of how much are we spending annually for maintenance and operators versus executive level teams. Sure that I I do know that. You said 33 admin. We're also laid off, but I just want to make sure that if you guys are going off the prime majority will come from that higher branch versus the lower branch because of our branch 3, the ones that we need doing. The service is putting the work in the community for the people that need these services. So that's one right. Second thing that I want to talk about is going to be you talk about fear, modifications, but I didn't see any numbers up here. I want to know I don't want to know an exact number. I want to know percentage. How much of an increased percentage wise are you guys going up by? I think the community needs to know this and I haven't heard that yet. I'll let MISTER Ferguson answer that one. >> Through the chair that Councilmember Arias during public meetings we articulated going from a $1.75 to $2 to $2 in JANUARY. And as it relates to the MAY recall, we laid off 14 administrative employees in DECEMBER about 44 in FEBRUARY. And 33 and this go around. So close to 100 administrative employees at all told savings of about 21.9 million dollars that we're expecting to say from the reduction in force. Thank you, sir. >> the chair, here's the thing. I hate that. We're saving money at the expense of people. When we could save money. On not investing into other things that we read probably didn't need at the time. That's where we're at right now. So I would like to see scenarios where we could actually bring back these employees in your to to address the budget deficit that we have because I don't think the solution would be moving forward is addressing the bus budget deficit bounce by still getting rid of employees. On the contrary, bring back those employees and figure out a way to remove things that we really don't need right now at the time. That's my biggest thing. And I think all everybody he could agree to that. You know, now how many vehicles and of 90's do you guys have right now? Turning on? 14, 14. Okay. The point is at 4 we are in this position because of 14 vehicles and we're losing 200 plus chops. I can't fathom to even say that this makes sense at all I will tell you this. So I think we need to use these vehicles for a greater use. If we are going to discontinue services for the intended use, we can figure out a way to actually put these buses. Are these shuttles back and services? One of the things in my community, my district that I hear a lot of people, especially the seniors talk about all the time as they need suburban movers to take them to the mall or to, you know, have local and we've had this conversation the past with the previous team executive team. And I said, you know, we need some local shuttles, not just for downtown, but for different If you have 14 Ivies, I would recommend giving each district be to use as a suburban mover. Let's figure out a way each council member so we could use put those in place because we've invested so much money into it. We're not gonna get our our eye on it. But at the very least, let's put it back to work in our community. 14 obvious 14 districts. Let's talk about a solution for that for our community because I know I could use it for for a lot of neighbors in my district and then I have more questions. But the last question, the most important part is 2037, as we're going to be able to get the funds repaid back, which I'm glad we have a kind of action. But I you know, we're probably we're not going to be here by then. So it number one standing annual conversations on this to see where we're at, but also some sort of a commitment from you guys, even if it means paying it back annually or every 2 years. So we could start. I don't want wait to 2037 to talk about, ok, we're going to the lump sum payment. Obviously, I think you MR. Weiss in the council present ever had this conversation, but I'm not in tune with it. But I'm scared that if we have that balloon payment at the end, we MAY need to also have to have the conversations that say, hey, we MAY have to extend it. So instead of getting ourselves in that predicament 10 years from now, let's start making those payments every on every year, even if a small payment. So we got say okay, by 2037, we have a 5 million dollar deficit of a budget, you know, payment you guys gonna make. And that's it. So that could be part of the ongoing conversations. But I think that we should not have this one time payment the a year, maybe every year we forward and then have the I know conversations. But my biggest takeaway today see how we can fix this issue. I bring these jobs back. We need to bring these jobs back. That cannot be a long-term or permanent solution. I thank you chair. Thank you, MISTER Arias. Before we go to MISTER Carlo Chad, like Peterson, too. >> Address that aspect of annual reporting. Balloon Lum payment book would stipulated there. Sure through the chair, the committee. >> The amendment to the inner local agreement requires Gta to report on a quarterly basis fiscal year 26. 27 on the amount that they draw down from that allowed 30 Million. So that's quarterly Her office route will receive. A report will reported back to city Council. What they've done that prior to actually drawing down the dollars. They have to send communications over to our office. The council PRESIDENT And the cfo, the administration on their plan for drawing down so that there's timeline for discussion if it needs to occur and then after SEPTEMBER 30th of 27, every MARCH there after they have to report to our office. And we will report back to City Council where they are in the status of replenishing the amount that they have drawn down. And this councilmember area stated they have until SEPTEMBER 30th 2037 to repay that full amount. There's nothing that requires them make an annual contribution to, you know, to try to draw that amount down. But I do having discussions with MR. Barnes, going try to attack it aggressively because they know that the city wants the projects that the dollars are supposed to go toward to begin moving forward. Thank you, MR. Paterson, MISTER Carlucci. MARCH Air. That goes right to the heart of what I was going to mention. So they're required to do that. Is that as that bin? >> Codified. They're required to do that or is that? Inner local just an agreement? Is that something that we I want to codify that time frame in this bill. It will make sure happens through the chair to council recology. So what is kind of fight is that they have to report annually where they are in paying the dollars back. >> And that they have to pay it by back by SEPTEMBER. 30th 2037. That's the only thing that is set in stone in this inner local agreement amendment. So if mri, I'd like I think is important because as years go by these to these things tend to kind beef forgotten out of sight out of mind. And and I'd like to entertain a motion or make a motion to be entertained. There be a report twice a year between now 2037 that there be report by the auditors. I see MISTER Weinstein them up finishing out his term. Notice Weinstein and he's already got the the Jews, but we should be reported to twice a year. I'd like to make an amendment to that report unless MISTER Weinstein's got a better idea. Thank you, MR. Carla to before we entertain amendment. >> I'd like to hear with Weinstein has to say. Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN Mike Weinstein Co this amendment lives until the next amendment done. Basically when this is that when you when you when you finish with this amendment. The council committee, the administration jta. We'll be working on the Second Amendment, which will change that this potentially change the distribution of the local option. Gas tax funds and that Second This will go away. The Second Amendment will have all the details of the payback in the projects and all the things that we're beginning to talk about. So my suggestion would be we get this one done. We sit down the council committee that the PRESIDENT Created Ministration jta will come back in a number of months. New Amendment. This amendment will dissolve basically. And then you can discuss the real specifics that already will be in the next excuse. Me amendment coming to you. Thank you through to Michelle MISS. The college ease amendment is for more aggressive. Reporting. Timeline is sounds property me correct me if you will. >> To that chair, I heard Councilmember Carlucci discuss a potential amendment. It did not get a second. So it's not properly before you a few months to That amendment again and allow someone the opportunity a second to mentor would be you can. You make the amendment with clarity and see if we get a second. >> Well, while we wait out, withdraw the amendment. But I think that. When they come back with another amendment. We need to remember and this is why bacon them and to begin with. We need to remember to have some type of reporting. The status of this was kind of a bigger than life issue, at least once or twice year to all of our committees or at least to the applicable committees. This has been done. Before when situations like this come before our city the council to maintain consciousness of it and to stay top of issues that that there be some type of mandatory. Preview. We did one better Jax years ago and it's been done with other things as well. Ow. Stand back on my amendment for right now and wait till the other committees Icmr Weinstein shaking said I trust his capable judgment. And Mike, if you'll just make sure that we remember to do that so that's where all stand on that right now. MISTER CHAIRMAN, if you're okay with that. >> Thank you. MISTER Carlucci. One quick question for MISTER Barnes. Before we vote modified services on Saturday. I believe that translate into reduced bus services say in my question, is that system wide? To the chair? The most heavily written routes. We'll go from 20 minutes to 30 minutes. Our bus rapid Transit Network. >> Which are red green and blue lines would remain at 20 minutes and then the none have really written routes will go from 30 minutes to 60 minutes to it, accommodate the additional frequency for the other routes. >> Thank you, MR. Ferguson for clarification. So we're talking about extension of time between All righty. All right. The bill is back in the committee. I'm sorry, MISTER Areas that see you in the queue. Thank you. Chair. >> That that was awesome. And I awakening for me. Several employees have to employees. It takes almost 3 hours to get to work. 3 hours of their day td their house to go to beach and Hodges and then maybe 2 and a half hours on the way back 4 to 5 hours out of the This is real stuff we're dealing with here. Got my eyes on coming up right now for these people because I know what they go through every single day. Sox. You guys have to really buckle up and figure this out. It's not fair for them right? So next time you have conversation, this figure out a solution for this because losing employees, that's 20 woman dollars of annual revenue in our city. But for people for their lines. All right. That's a big deal. And now we're talking about extending their time from 30 minutes to 60 minutes from 20 minutes 30 minutes. All adds up. These are lives or where we're dealing with here. So you guys, everybody here has to really make a conscious effort to make this better because this is not good at all for a city Thank you, MR. Areas. Thank you, MR. Barnes for your presentation this morning. As I said, yes of them and I MAY not use these words, but >> I'm disappointed by how we got here. And apparently the lack of transparency through the process to why we are here. And as a result, as Area says, punctuated this morning, 200 folks are out of jobs we're in the community in a cycle where affordability has become a major concern for every household. But I do believe that and I use the analogy yesterday. When you see a house on fire, you you pour water on it. You don't let it burn. So I did believe that this is a smart approach to and stop the hemorrhaging, if you will, and get your guy stabilized and get back to where you need to be MR. Thank you, MR. Barnes, MISTER Carlucci Apologist. I have one more question lingering kind of question is the Autonomous Innovation Center. Is that still going to be moving forward? >> And if so, if they're going to be hiring people, would there be hiring opportunities for any of the employees who have been let go. Through the chair to Councilmember Carlucci, the Autonomous Innovation Center is the. >> Broken into 2 pieces. One, it runs the Base Street innovation corridor and it also provides tele operations for any autonomous use in the United States. And so we're hoping that the autonomous Innovation Center will be looked at and utilize potentially by the state and maybe some private actors to do everything from tele operations on autonomous trucking, which would bring revenue to the jta. So all of those items are are being looked at for opportunity to offset all of these with non fare box revenue. Okay. >> I would hope that and this is something that I think would make sense is any. Opportunities come up 4 jobs. In that center. Or any centers connected with that around the Southeast. Wherever for those employees who just would move in order to get employment. They would have of first did If they're eligible and if they can qualify. And I hope that the city. Of Jacksonville as they have opportunities come up. These folks will have an opportunity to have a shot. Maybe a first shot at those jobs. This is a bad time of year to lose your work to lose your job. I got to tell you, I will never forget my life when. My company. Filed lead the state of Florida. They filed it was talk about it. They filed. And our family was in free for all. And we have started another business from scratch. It was tough. First time I felt like I was falling off a cliff and didn't know where I was on land. And I was like. In the 50's. At kids that were just. One still in college. Want to just graduated nessa same thing. These other folks are facing. And you got the holidays coming up and you're sure panic. You what fate, what your future faces. Well, what's a sing you and your future. Mania. They need a rope to grab ahold of. Inside a for Ferguson. I I have great faith in you, sir. And I hope that perhaps you can. I Different authorities. This autonomous. Organization and businesses here. And try to find where there might be some employment opportunities that these folks might have. Even if only. That's 50 people that will be. Given life ally for hope. And through chair Councilmember Carlucci. I do want to say City of Jacksonville Administration has been very helpful. >> I'm coordinating with too. Tried to assist those who are no longer with this. Jta explained another setting that our collective bargaining agreements to allow for us to look back 2 years bring back employees those who are represented and knowing this administration. >> For who they are in the heart that they have. That doesn't surprise me that and I really, really happy to hear that. Thank you. Thank you. >> Alright committee thank MISTER Ferguson, MISTER Barnes for your presentation this morning and answering the questions. The bill is back in community that's been moving with an emergency amended. If there's no further discussion, please open your ballot and vote. >> a yeas, 0 nays. >> action, you've approved 2026, 0, 7, 80. Thank you chair. Turn to Page 5 were. I'm sorry, MISTER Holland. I didn't see. Thank you, MISTER Chair. Just quick comment, MR. Barnes mentioned at one point that the council auditors and Philip, I got a question for you >> raised the issue about jta is reporting Avello gt one revenues that someone council auditors office. I just want to know. >> Who was the perceptive individual accounts? Waters off, as you noted, that brought it to everyone's attention and got basically started the process of re evaluate in the forecast for 26. >> Brian Parks. Well, Brian is not here. But Brian, if you're listening, thank you so much for your service to the city. You did us a great service for catching that. Thank you. >> MR. Pelosi and meant to MISS The Pelosi out order, turn on your in your agenda to Page 5. We're taking up item 5 item 5 on Page 5, 2026, 0, 7, 0, 9, Could I get emotional? Any discussion? Open your ballot. Let's vote. >> 6 yeas, one nay. >> By your action. You've approved 2026, 0, 7, 0, 9, And let's go back to the front of our agenda. Item number one, 2026, 0, 6, 4, 4, Can I get a motion on the amendment? The amendment. Can you explain the amendment? >> To chair the committee, the amendment touches the planning and development Historic Preservation report which is required by code. That report reflects unanimous approval by the commission. >> Thank you. All in favor of the amendment. Any oppose amendment carries. MISTER Carlucci, you're in the queue. Ok, bill, as amendment amended its been move. It's been seconded Carla to you in the queue. Ok? Thank you. I just want to speak to this bill and this is naming the one that preserves of properties are of that. The city owns thousands and thousands of acres. Coordinated recommended for purchase. But Mark Middlebrook, one of the friends and people that I I've had the opportunity to know in life. I'm sure that MARCH air, you knew him quite well know, more as well. I don't buy it through it. We'll try. Markman, Brooke, was. The salt of the Earth. But he was brilliant. And I think a lot of people don't know these properties like. Like past councils, have. And I think we need to hopefully with the next council, perhaps there can be some tours of these parks. And they're responsible. For reason, we have the largest park system in America. And they're not just sitting out there as they can land. And the point want to make here is one last times I was with Mark. We were driving through. Many of the acres and they're building out. A real dedicated effort by our parks and recreation Department. For exploring hiking, kayaking fishing. There's some fishing, piers out there. People picnic. There's. Begin tables and people love to go out there watched Indentify the birds to wildlife. People can go horse riding out there. I'm hoping that at some point to be camping. You can go out there and see the Kingsley Plantation it's some is home to some of the most beautiful vistas in Jacksonville, Florida. It began under actually began with Charlie Bennet. Congressman Charlie He actually outlined in a dignified Aquatic Preserve. And then under the John Delaney administration when he was mayor. Rick Mullaney and he and some others decided. And I think John John gives credit everybody else but himself. And it gives a lot of the credit to Rick Mullaney for coming up with the idea of buying these pieces of property in order preserve them for posterity for children, our children's children's children. But he gives all of the credit for putting these together and such as systemic way to Marc Middlebrook. Mark Meadow, Brook passed away. And in a became obvious that. Part of this preserves to be named after him. I want to credit my COUNCILMAN, gay. Went out to his district. And spoke to. The organization that neighborhood organization. So closest to the Middlebrook Preserve. And his son. Little, Brooke, I don't think is a junior, but it's a smart Middlebrook. To the organization. And he had a son there. It was a generational thing. It was beautiful. The organization came back at their next meeting in voting unanimously. And I really credit Mike Gay, forgiving. Mahan Im Mark Middlebrooks and that opportunity because I don't think my gay really knew that much. But I do know this. My gay fights. For that area intensely on Zonings. I have often joined him and fighting for those areas. So especially want to thank Mark. I want to have a chance. To speak to this. They'll be out of town next week. But Mark was a friend mine. He was a friend. Hundreds, thousands of people. And I appreciate. The fact hopefully this will pass. I think if you add your name to this bill. It's something you look back on and be proud of. And I know that his family would appreciate it. Thank you. MISS The currently country and thank you for introducing the bill. I didn't know Martin. >> And your words. He was indeed the salt of the Earth. And this is very humbling tribute to his life and the work he did in this community and legislative services, if you would. The 2 about appreciated. On the bill has been amended and it's been moved. As amended open about Pope. >> 7 yeas, 0 nays. >> By your actions you've approved 2026, 0, 6, 44 item number 2, 2026, 0, 6, 6, 2, Can I get a motion? Any discussion? Open your about vote. >> 7 yeas, 0 nays. >> By your actions you've approved 2026, 0, 6, 6, 2, item, number 3, 2026, 0, 7, 0, 2, I need to open the public hearing. Do we have an e? Okay? Public hearing is closed, move the amendment. The amendment. All in favor of the amendment was by then. >> Through the chair, the committee, the amendment includes a reference in the legislation for the application which is currently on filed. That application was completed by Councilmember Johnson. Also clarifies that the waiver needed because the honoree, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint Augustine isn't a group of individuals and not a single individual. And that's why the waiver is required. And then also correct scrivener's within the legislation. Thank you, sir. >> Moved the bill as amended. I thought did. We okay all in favor of the amendment. Any opposition amendment Kerry's move the bill as amended the bill done that. Any discussion. Let's open a ballot vote. >> 7 yeas, 0 nays. >> action. You've approved 2026, 0, 7, 0, 2, Item number for 2026. Era 704. Can I get a motion for the bill? Any discussion? Alright, open to ballot its folk. >> 7 yeas, 0 nays. >> By your actions even approved 2026, 0, 7, 0, 4, We've already taken up item number 5 item number 6. 2026, 0, 7, 20 can I get a motion? The bill? Any discussion on the bill? Alright, open up about scope. >> 7 yeas, 0 nays. >> By your action, you've approved 2026, 0, 7, 2, 0, Item on second reading 2026 or 7.48 2026, 0, 7, 55. Item 2026, 0, 7, 7, 7, 2026, 0, 7, 7, 9, And we've already taken action on item 11. There any public comment cards? MR. Carnell Oliver, you have 2 minutes, 30 seconds. Yes, my name is Colonel Oliver addresses on file. >> speaking to lack knowledge. Nation will hurt repairs. The compensation of response stabilization. Very essential because it coordinates with the Constitution. And the one thing down the honestly speaking from is that I'm learning and if learning and I'll show you the right path, you should be going down. And you're not intentional about grasping the knowledge down share. What do is I know bash. Because you're supposed enforce the Constitution and the rights of the people. Especially my civil rights. And the thing by is that there's been a lot mistakes that have happened in this city. And then j j is just real Transportation Authority. It's j a. The very structure, a consolidated and a large number of the problems happen in the 60's. Thanks have gotten out ahead. And one particular person, watching the glory days go up in flames. But things happen when the phase of Reconstruction. And buy you understand that. Understanding the parable is common sense what the Bible The first show be last. And the last shall be first, it is time. And it's been time for very long time. We're going to have to rebuild this thing from the buying the boat, too much furniture. The level of accountability is increasing because I'm Sean people, the failures. So you have no other choice. You took the oath of office. To enforce the laws on the books. You're going against everybody's right. And your catering to people who should not have any pow was so ever. And when I say that that's the 18, 66 Civil Rights Act. >> You have to honor the lost out on the books. That is oath of office. >> That each >> structural of government has a responsibility to do. >> Thank you. MISS Oliver for your comments are next. Regular meeting will be Tuesday, OCTOBER 20th at 09:00am. If there's no the business to come before the