Jacksonville Beach, District 2
Community Newsletter
May 2019
Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors!
Jax Beach Fire Department

On May 20, City Council will be voting on whether or not to contract out Jax Beach's fire services to the City of Jacksonville. This was discussed last month, but Council needed more information to make an informed decision. Since then, we have held workshops to get input from the public as well as to discuss this among Council members.

Here is the information Council has reviewed:
Below are videos of the workshop for public comment, the meeting the issue first came to Council for a vote (when it was tabled), and the workshop where Council members discussed the issue.
Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
904.486.6865
May Events
5/4
9:00 am - 3:00 pm Hazardous Waste Collection , Operation & Maintenance Facility located at 1460 Shetter Avenue

5/5
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Whiskers and Waves , free animal adoption event , Latham Plaza

5/11
8:00am Waves of Gray Walk , The Pier
8:00 am Beach Fest Race , Seawalk Pavilion
9:00 am - 1:00 pm Get Hooked on Fishing , Huguenot Park

5/16
6:00 pm Boardwalk Talk: Dorothy Fletcher , Beaches Museum

5/18
2:30 pm - 8:00 pm Festival of Chariots , Seawalk Pavilion

5/24
9:00 pm Moonlight Movies : Aquaman , Seawalk Pavilion.

Click here for more information and events.
Other District Issues

  • The fence with the signs/art on 9th Street S.
  • Unleashed dogs on the beach
  • Density/neighborhood changes
  • Pedestrian safety
  • Traffic/traffic flow
  • Parking
  • Softball fields
  • Tennis courts
Police Chief Search
On May 1st, Jacksonville Beach's administration conducted interviews for the six finalist for the position of Jacksonville Beach Chief of Police. I attended the day-long interview sessions, and all were strong candidates. A decision, which will be made by the City Manager, is expected later this month. June's newsletter will have more information about our new Police Chief.
Downtown Jax Beach
Council-CRA Direction
City Council held a meeting to discuss the Council's vision for downtown, and then had a second joint meeting with the Community Redevelopment Agency, the group charged with focusing on Downtown and the South Beach Redevelopment area. Our goal is to make sure that both entities are moving in the same direction with regard to the future of the downtown area. Here are the videos of the meetings.
SRX Licenses (alcohol licenses for restaurants)
On May 6th, City Council will vote on changing the ordinance that oversees the sale of alcohol in Jacksonville Beach. The changes will apply to new restaurant establishments with a full liquor license. These new entities will be prohibited from selling alcohol after midnight. Restaurants that are currently in operation will be allowed to continue alcohol sales from midnight until 2:00 am.
The reasoning for this change is to stop establishments that register as restaurants (which pay less for the SRX liquor license and insurance than bars) from operating as bars from midnight to 2 AM. This ordinance will not impact alcohol sales for establishments with a full liquor license (bars).
Short Term Rentals
Jax Beach has many short-term rental properties and the vast majority of them are run well with no negative impact to those who live around the location. However, there are exceptions.
Jax Beach does not currently have any ordinances that pertain to these rentals. Moreover, the state of Florida has prohibited cities from enacting restrictions on short term rentals based on length of stay or through zoning.
To address the concerns of those who are currently being negatively impacted by these establishments, and to plan for continued growth of this specific type of rental, Council is discussing the best way to meet the concerns of our residents while also having a minimal an impact on those who have short-term rentals but do not negatively impact the neighborhoods where they are located.
Council had a briefing where we started discussing proposed legislation. Below are the documents that were discussed.
Memo from the City Attorney, Denise May
Draft Ordinance for Short Term Rentals
Draft Resolution for Short Term Rentals
Council will vote on this issue in June.
Here is the section of the workshop where Council was briefed on this issue.

It’s Sea Turtle Season!
It’s the time of year when sea turtles get ready to lay their eggs on our beach! Let’s make sure we do our part to help the little guys and girls out.
  • Restrict or shield direct beachfront light from homes or landscapes.
  • Avoid unneeded light, noise and movement on the beach at night.
  • Do not walk or cycle on beach dunes.
  • Keep beaches clean by cleaning up trash, beach furniture and miscellaneous items.
  • Do not disturb sea turtle tracks, eggs, adults or hatchlings.

More information can be found here .
Together, we will make a difference.
Let's continue work together to ensure that Jacksonville Beach remains one of the greatest places to call home! Reach out if you have any questions or concerns about what is happening in your neighborhood or City.
Cell phone: 904.486.6865