The meeting kicked off with a discussion about the call for artists regarding a large sculpture that embodies the theme of “beach life.” The council expressed satisfaction with using their in-house platform for managing the project, which avoids the subscription fees associated with external services. Artists are invited to submit high-resolution imagery and conceptual designs, though hand-drawn submissions will not be considered. The council emphasized the importance of ensuring the sculpture’s placement does not obstruct emergency access and acknowledged that the review process could extend into the next calendar year due to the project’s scale and the holiday season. The council is considering requiring finalists to produce scaled mockups to provide a tangible representation of their proposals.

The “Sea Life in the City” project was another topic of discussion, with the council deciding to use fiberglass for a turtle sculpture instead of the initially considered solid bronze. This decision was made to stay within budget constraints while still producing a durable and visually appealing piece. The fiberglass turtle, estimated to stand 8 to 10 feet tall, is slated for placement near the lifeguard station to leverage its connection to local marine life and potential for public engagement. The council addressed concerns about the sculpture’s durability and safety, especially regarding children climbing on it, and assured that the fiberglass would withstand both the elements and public interaction. There was also discussion about potentially placing the sculpture on a raised pedestal to enhance visibility while maintaining accessibility for photographs.

The meeting also covered the selection of mural artists for restroom buildings in the downtown district. The council reviewed various proposals, focusing on finalists from a previous call for submissions. Designs included a tribute to surfing and renderings featuring a massive turtle and a lounging jaguar on the beach. The council expressed enthusiasm for the artistic submissions and narrowed down the finalists to artists Nicole and Grace Seymour and Shawn Bono. Grace’s design, noted for its cleaner graphic style, and Shawn’s submission, praised for its professional portfolio, garnered significant support. Discussions included the placement of Grace’s mural at Oceanfront Park and Shawn’s mural featuring an airplane pulling a restroom sign on a building facade.

In addition to the art projects, the council addressed proposed changes to the CRA bylaws, specifically the formalization of the number of board members from seven to five. This restructuring aims to create a more manageable and effective group dynamic. The council proposed that all board members should either reside in or operate a brick-and-mortar business in Jacksonville Beach to ensure local representation. The application process for the new fifth member was discussed, with plans for interviews and recommendations to be handled creatively by staff, differing from other boards. The proposed changes are set to be reviewed and approved by the CRA in their upcoming meeting.