Welcome to "The Beach Life" newsletter. This resource, directly from the City of Jacksonville Beach Government, is meant to serve as a short, informative, and meaningful way to provide news, resources, and other information to Jacksonville Beach residents and others who care about our beautiful beach community! Photo credit: John Tesh, Jacksonville Beach photographer

We are sending you, your family, and your loved ones our warmest wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The City of Jacksonville Beach offices will be closed on the following dates: Friday, December 22, and Monday, December 25, in observance of Christmas Monday, January 1, in observance of New Year's Day Sanitation Schedule There will be no sanitation pickup in Jacksonville Beach on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th. All services will be moved back by one day: Monday collections will take place on Tuesday Tuesday collections will take place on Wednesday Wednesday collections will take place on Thursday Thursday collections will take place on Friday Friday collections will take place on Saturday There will be no change in services for New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2024.

After a stormy weekend, Deck The Chairs reopened on Tuesday, December 19. Thank you, community partners, for your support and for quickly and safely reopening this great display! Concessions will run nightly except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Come by for a stroll, some hot cocoa, and a 2023 JBDTC Collectible Tee Shirt or Ornament. The Christmas Eve Service, hosted by Ocean City Church, will launch 12.24 at 5:30 p.m.

An early Christmas Present - our newest mural is complete! The artist, Ernesto Maranje, was selected by our Public Art Committee to paint this beautiful piece of art on the back of the SeaWalk Pavilion in our downtown CRA. This piece tells the story of our beautiful ecosystem stemming from under the sea all the way to the rivers and waterways. You can find more of the artist's incredible work by visiting www.maranje.com.

The City of Jacksonville Beach is hiring for several open positions! Apply to be a part of our fantastic beachside team. You'll join a group of skilled professionals partnered with a positive work environment and excellent benefits! Open positions currently include: City Attorney Equipment Operator Mechanic Police Officer Police Records Specialist Police Volunteer Coordinator Public Safety Communications Officer System Operator Click here to view job descriptions and to apply: https://lnkd.in/e8Sqr7pQ

Jacksonville Beach is working to create a multi-modal urban trails network for the City of Jacksonville Beach that provides safe access and usability for all ages and abilities of residents and visitors. In 2021, the City of Jacksonville Beach embarked on an effort to develop an Urban Trails Master Plan. The goal was to provide City residents and visitors of all ages and abilities a high-quality network of urban trail infrastructure that would serve as a multi-modal transportation network as well as provide a system for activity and recreation. This Urban Trails Master Plan provides a framework for implementing such a comprehensive trail system. Utilizing public input obtained from discussions with the community, the trail plan identifies  A vision and framework for a city-wide, multi-use trail system.  Links between neighborhoods, beaches, parks, commercial focal points, and natural areas.  Routes, providing design parameters and concepts for various facility types.  For the most recent updates and to view the Construction Design Plans, click here.

Penman Road is a City of Jacksonville roadway, so any improvements to the road are the responsibility of the City of Jacksonville. Anyone who has lived in Jacksonville Beach for the past 20 years will know that very little has been done by the City of Jacksonville to maintain or improve the roadway. As such, Penman Road is a roadway that accommodates vehicles, but it’s not safe for pedestrians or bicyclists. The sidewalks are in horrible shape, there are areas where sidewalk doesn’t exist, and it’s not safe for pedestrians to cross Penman Road. It’s also very challenging for cars to get onto Penman from side streets and traffic backs up for long distances during peak times. In an effort to advocate for safety improvements to Penman Road, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach all passed resolutions in 2019 asking the City of Jacksonville to make Penman Road a Complete Street. When the City of Jacksonville received the resolutions, they agreed to install lighted pedestrian crosswalks at 4th Ave N and 15th Ave N as an interim safety measure until long-term safety improvements could be installed. The Jacksonville City Council also approved over $20 millionfor a Penman Road Complete Streets Study, design of safety improvements and construction to improve Penman Road. Click here for full updates on the Penman Road project.

You can now make reservations for tennis courts at the Jacksonville Beach Tennis Club and eight cabanas at South Beach Park. To make a reservation for the Tennis Center, click here! Reservations have court and/or membership fees, which can be paid at the tennis center with cash. For cabanas, each unit can be booked for up to 2 hours at a time and up to 30 days in advance. Seven cabanas have BBQ grills for use; only #2 does not. The center cabana in the playground area is not included in reservations; it is for shade in the play area. To make a reservation, click here.  If you need help, please contact our Parks & Recreation office Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at 904-247-6236 or recreation@jaxbchfl.net.

Beach Life Rentals now manages Jacksonville Beach Pier. Beginning January 1, 2023, the Pier will have a fee for walking and fishing. $2.00 Day Pass (non-local) $1.00 Day Pass (local) $90 Annual Pass (includes VIP discounts) $5.00 for day fishing (non-local) $4.00 for day fishing (local) $300 Annual Pass (includes VIP discounts) For more information, visit: https://www.thejaxpier.com There are now two live surf cams at the Jacksonville Beach Pier! North Side View South Side View

Sanitation Services Changes The cost for garbage collection will increase effective on April 1, 2023. The new rate will be reflected on your monthly bill. The City of Jacksonville Beach always aims to maintain affordable rates while providing the best service for customers. The new rate will allow us to keep pace with the current cost of garbage collection services. The city will maintain the same service level of 2x per week residential garbage pickup, 1x per week recycling pick up, and 1x per week yard waste collection. Click here to view the rates.

Jacksonville Beach Parking Updates Paid parking has ended for the season! Paid parking will resume in Spring of 2024. For complete information, click here.

Serve on a City Board Consider being involved in the Jacksonville Beach community, making a difference, and putting your skills and talents to work as a volunteer Board Member. If you are interested, please click here for our Board Descriptions and Application for Appointment to a City Board.

Upcoming Events

For more detailed information on any of the meetings or events, visit the calendar on our website by clicking here. City Council and Board Meetings (all meetings are in City Council Chambers unless noted otherwise) January 2, Board of Adjustment, 6:00 PM January 8, City Council Briefing, 5:30 PM January 8, Planning Commission Meeting, 7:00 PM January 10, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Workshop, 3:00 PM January 16, City Council Meeting, 6:00 PM January 17, Board of Adjustment, 6:00 PM January 18, CRA Public Art Advisory Committee Meeting, 3:00 PM January 22, CRA Meeting, 3:00 PM January 22, Planning Commission Meeting, 7:00 PM January 24, Special Magistrate Hearing, 2:00 PM Community Events Deck the Chairs, every night through January 1, 2024, deckthechairs.org December 24, Christmas Eve Service with Ocean City Church, 5:30 PM at the Seawalk Pavilion December 28, Tax Slayer Gator Bowl Pep Rally, 7:00 PM at Latham Plaza January 16, Jax Beach Classic Car Cruise, 5:00 - 9:00 PM at Latham Plaza January 20, Local Fest, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM at Latham Plaza January 27, 1st Place Sports Winter Beach Run, 2:00 - 4:30 PM, Latham Plaza January 31, Farmers & Artisan Market, 4:00 - 8:00 PM, Latham Plaza The City of Jacksonville Beach offices will be closed on the following dates: Friday, December 22, and Monday, December 25, in observance of Christmas Monday, January 1, in observance of New Year's Day

Pickleball Court Reservations Have you played pickleball at South Beach Park yet? We have two beautiful courts. You can make reservations online in advance. Click here for more details and to make your reservation.

October 1st through March 31st dogs are allowed on Jacksonville Beach at any time!  Year-round rules are:  Dogs must be on a leash 8 feet or shorter; Dogs must wear proof of valid rabies vaccination; Dog waste must be picked up and disposed of; and Dogs are not allowed on the sand dunes at any time. Dogs in the Atlantic Ocean within the owner's voice and visual contact are allowed to swim unleashed and then immediately put back on the leash before returning to the beach. This does not include walking the dog in the water or fetching.  Violations may result in a fine of $55.00 per City Ordinance 5-41.

Watering Schedule as of November 6, 2023 Residential odd-numbered addresses: Saturdays Residential even-numbered addresses: Sundays Non-residential Commercial: Tuesdays Be sure to water before 10 am or after 4 pm! For more information, you can view the St. Johns River Water Management District's Information (PDF)

Visit the Beaches Green Market! Saturdays from 10am-2pm at Penman Park / 321 Penman Road Jacksonville Beach  Vendors at the market sell a wide selection of in-season, local and organic produce, local all-natural meats, free-range eggs, cut flowers, locally roasted organic coffees, edible plants and trees, orchids, handcrafted teas, gluten-free and vegan foods, handcrafted cheeses, locally made desserts, freshly baked breads, local honey, and other seasonal delights.

Are you a new business in town? Do you operate a business from home? Did you know you need to obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt from the City Clerk’s office? It’s simple! Click here to find, print, and fill out the application on our website (Bring it in with your Articles of Incorporation, photo ID, and your State license (if applicable). You can call the City Clerk’s office to obtain the fee amount for your business. Remember, we only accept cash or check.

Development Updates

Beach Bowl, 818 Beach Blvd Opening soon! Relish Burgers, 500 3rd St. North Opening Soon! Bahama Bucks (former Sonic location), 700 Beach Blvd) Expected to open 4th Quarter of 2023 Click here to read about it in the Jacksonville Daily Record Dick Mondell's, 1177 3rd St. Under Construction Smoothie King, 1020 3rd St. South Under Construction Nordstrom Rack, Sephora, & J. Crew Factory - South Beach Shopping Plaza Opening Spring 2024 Click here to read more! Jax Beach Kava Bar, 1372 Beach Blvd Now open! Talkin' Tacos, 1300 Beach Blvd Now open! Goodwill (remodeled), 1036 Beach Blvd Now open! Safe Pedestrian Crossings on Penman Road Construction completed on safe pedestrian crossings on Penman Road. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) have been installed at Penman and 4th Ave N and Penman and 15th Ave. The RRFBs are now in operation! FDOT has plans to install two additional RRFB crossings on 3rd Street (A1A) at 2nd Avenue North and 15th Avenue North. Not sure how to properly use an RRFB? ​Click here for an instructional video. Click here for an instructional flyer.

Stay Informed!

Jacksonville Beach City Council meetings continue to be held in person in City Hall on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 6 PM. Briefings are held in person on the 2nd Monday of each month at 5:30 PM. Meeting dates are subject to change and special meetings may be called; click here to view the most up-to-date meeting schedule. You can see the agenda for City Council Meetings here. If you don't wish to attend the meetings in person, you can watch the City Council meetings streamed live on YouTube. You can also watch all past City Council and Board meeting videos on YouTube. CITY COUNCIL CONTACT INFO   Mayor Chris Hoffman: choffman@jaxbchfl.net; 904-877-1058 Fernando Meza, At-Large Seat 1: fmeza@jaxbchfl.net; 904-247-6102 Dan Janson, At-Large Seat 2: djanson@jaxbchfl.net; 904-247-6103 Greg Sutton, At-Large Seat 3: gsutton@jaxbchfl.net; 904-895-4694 Cory Nichols, District 1, Seat 4: cnichols@jaxbchfl.net; 904-877-0304 Bill Horn, District 2, Seat 5: bhorn@jaxbchfl.net; 904-895-4659 Sandy Golding, District 3, Seat 6: sgolding@jaxbchfl.net; 904-877-0675 Please note you can call or text the Council members at their city phone numbers.

COJB Jobs We believe that talented, customer service-driven employees are essential to fulfill the needs of our citizens. If you would like to be a member of our team, we encourage you to apply with us, see our current employment opportunities or sign up here to receive email notifications of new job postings.

Get Involved Are you interested in making a difference and putting your skills and talents to work as a volunteer Board Member? Jacksonville Beach has five different City Boards in need of high-quality candidates that are dedicated to our community. Click here to learn more.

Live Streams If you want to stay in the loop on developments in Jacksonville Beach, but are unable to attend or view a meeting live, The City streams and archives many public meetings to YouTube. Click here to view past meetings and live streams of upcoming meetings.

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