Jacksonville Waterways Commission

Agenda items

• April 15, 2026, JWC Meeting Minutes
• Attendance
• Brian Burket, Parks Department, discussed emails from Mr. Retterbush regarding the St. Johns Marina Ramp, in which Mr. Retterbush had raised concerns about safety and the possibility of extending the ramp. Mr. Burket informed the Commission that the St. Johns Marina Ramp is on the Southbank and was built in 1965 as a 42-foot ramp. He stated that, because the ramp sits on the inside bend of the river, sediment collects in the area. He stated that the St. Johns Marina Ramp is the only ramp in the downtown area, with the next closest ramp located in Arlington. Mr. Burket stated that the ramp had been extended from 42 feet to 54 feet in 2005, but that, because of the sediment buildup, the end of the boat ramp is regularly buried in sediment. Mr. Burket stated that they did clean it out and had performed dredges over the years, but that it had been a number of years since the last dredging.
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Utilities (Sub)
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Real Estate Development
• CM Gay stated that he is continuing work with Captain Suber on the Shad Creek Resolution and compiling all the information needed for FWC.
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Legal Services
  • Waste Management
• CM Gay stated that the state representatives had returned to session and had been unable to meet with them in May as planned, and that a future meeting regarding the George Crady Bridge would be scheduled.
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Government Authority
• CM Peluso announced two ribbon-cutting ceremonies scheduled for 11:00 a.m. that day: one at the Riverfront Music Garden, and one at the bridge in front of the Brooklyn section of the Riverwalk.
  • Event Planning & Rentals
• COUNCIL RULE 4.505 DISRUPTION OF MEETING
  • Legal Services
• Chair Amaro gave the following announcements:
  • Government Authority
  • Marine Services & Boat Repair
  • Event Planning & Rentals
  • Waste Management
• Discussion on email re: St. Johns Marina Ramp Extension & Public Access
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Concrete & Masonry
  • General Contractor
  • Building & Industrial Supply
• Dr. Gerard Pinto, Jacksonville University, reported that the City remained in a drought and that the St. Johns River Water Management District had declared a water shortage. Dr. Pinto reported that salinity was elevated across all areas as a result of the drought. He stated that recent rainfall over the past few days had not reduced salinity levels but had cooled water temperatures by approximately one degree to 77°F. Dr. Pinto reported that year-to-date rainfall was five inches below normal, though the area had received a couple of inches of rain in recent days. He reported that algal bloom conditions from Jacksonville south to Lake George showed mixed algae with no toxins.
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Business Consulting
  • Government Authority
• George Crady Bridge Update
  • General Contractor
  • Concrete & Masonry
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Engineering & Architecture
• Legislation
  • Government Authority
• Minutes: Steven Libby, Council Research
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Legal Services
  • Waste Management
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Utilities (Sub)
  • Marine Services & Boat Repair
• Mr. Carnell Oliver spoke on the City's consolidated structure and its institutions.
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Business Consulting
  • Professional Services (Other)
  • Government Authority
• Mr. Hardesty announced that a contractor had been secured for an artificial reef project in the Harm's Ledge area, projected to be completed in August. He stated that the project is a 500-ton rubble reef and would be the first artificial reef in the City in twenty years.
  • Construction (Other)
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Trucking & Freight
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Government Authority
• Ms. MacGillis informed the Commission that 2026-0349 had been on the Consent Agenda and was approved unanimously at the previous day's City Council meeting. She stated that, since the resolution had been approved by City Council, 2026-0349 was on the JWC agenda for informational purposes only.
• ORD Auth the Mayor & Corp Sec to Execute a 2nd Amendment to the Agrmt with JU to Renew the Agrmt for a 2nd Add’l YR for the Continuing Manatee Protection Studies for FY 24-25 & FY 25-26, & to Increase the Max Indebtedness by an Add’l $193,549 for a New Total Max Indebtedness Not to Exceed $283,549, Pursuant to Approp Funds Previously Auth by Ords 2024 504-E & 2025 504-E; Prov for Oversight by the Planning & Dev Dept (Dillard) (Req of Mayor) (JWC Apv)
  • Business Consulting
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Government Authority
• Other New Business
  • General Contractor
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Concrete & Masonry
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC & Climate Control
  • Carpentry & Cabinetry
  • Roofing
  • Painting & Flooring
  • Drywall & Insulation
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Real Estate Development
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Landscaping & Lawn Service
• Police Lieutenant Kevin Kilcoin, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, presented an overview of the unit. Lt. Kilcoin stated that the Marine Unit is responsible for ensuring safety, enforcing state and local boating laws, answering emergency calls, and providing services including routine patrols, port security, search and rescue, and coordination with state and federal law enforcement partners on the waterways. Lt. Kilcoin reviewed the Marine Unit's personnel structure, functions, and facility location.
  • Government Authority
  • Legal Services
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • General Contractor
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Landscaping & Lawn Service
  • Waste Management
  • Signage & Printing
• Presentation: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office | Intelligence Unit | Hazardous Device Unit | Marine Unit
• Pursuant to the American with Disabilities Act, accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please allow 1-2 business days notification to process; last minute requests will be accepted; but may not be possible to fulfill. Please contact Disabled Services Division at: V 904-255-5466, TTY-904-255-5476, or email your request to KaraT@coj.net.
• RESO Declaring the Week of May 16-22, 2026, as National Safe Boating Week in Jax & Encouraging All Residents & Visitors to Practice Safe Boating Habits (Libby) (Introduced by CMs Howland, J. Carlucci, Salem, Peluso, Lahnen, Gay, Amaro, Arias, Johnson, Miller & Freeman) (Co-Sponsor CM Pittman)
  • Marine Services & Boat Repair
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Sporting Goods
  • Marketing & Advertising
  • Government Authority
• Safe Boating Week & Manatee Awareness Press Conference - Monday, May 18th, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at the St. Johns Boat Ramp, 901 Museum Circle on the River Walk west of the ramp.
  • Event Planning & Rentals
  • Marketing & Advertising
  • Signage & Printing
• Shad Creek Resolution - Update
  • Government Authority
• Shannon MacGillis, OGC, reminded the Commission that she had stated at the previous meeting that action by the Commission on 2026-0332 was not required. She stated that the Council President had since formally assigned 2026-0332 to the JWC, giving the Commission grounds to act on it.
  • Legal Services
  • Business Consulting
  • Engineering & Architecture
• St. Johns River Closure Notice
  • Government Authority
  • Legal Services
  • Waste Management
• St. Johns River Status Report on Water Quality & Manatees
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Business Consulting