The most notable event of the meeting was the council’s unanimous approval of amendments to the Downtown Redevelopment Plan. The updated plan is described as a “living document,” subject to annual review and amendment every three to five years. This initiative aims to ensure the plan remains relevant and responsive to the needs of the community. A council member proposed adding “living” to the plan’s description of downtown activities, emphasizing the importance of reflecting residents’ concerns alongside those of businesses and visitors. The amendment was seconded and passed without opposition. The council further refined the resolution by specifying that the plan should be reviewed every three to five years. These changes were incorporated into the redevelopment plan documentation.

Another topic was the approval of a beach cleaning and garbage collection contract with Beach Raker. The Public Works Director presented the contract, detailing a five-year term with options for five one-year extensions. Although only two bids were received, Beach Raker was recommended based on their satisfactory performance over the past eight years. The council discussed the financial aspects of the contract, particularly the rate increases tied to the one-year extensions. The director clarified that while the initial five-year rate would be fixed, any increases would require council approval at the time of renewal. The council expressed concerns about the broad language of the contract motion, but the city attorney assured them it was legally sufficient.

The council also addressed necessary year-end budget modifications. The Chief Financial Officer presented a resolution to amend the operating budget, citing the need for adjustments throughout the fiscal year. She assured the council that sufficient funds were available for all expenditures, leading to the resolution’s adoption without objection.

In addition, the council approved the adoption of St. Johns County’s Local Mitigation Strategy Plan, enabling the city to apply for federal grants related to hazard mitigation. The director of Beaches Energy explained the strategy’s benefits, emphasizing its role in coordinating resilience and hazard mitigation efforts among stakeholders. Questions were raised about the plan’s authorship and its implications for Jacksonville Beach, but the city attorney reassured the council that the plan’s scope was limited to assets within St. Johns County.

The meeting also featured recognition of Ed May, owner of Angie’s Subs, for his substantial contributions to disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Florence. May was honored with the Wave Maker award for coordinating a significant relief effort that delivered approximately 50,000 pounds of goods to North Carolina.

Community engagement was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. Council members shared their involvement in various local events, including speaking engagements with high school students and participation in the reopening of Gonzalez Park. They emphasized the importance of civic participation and highlighted the positive impact of community initiatives on future generations.