Jacksonville Waterways Commission

Agenda items

• Approval of February 11, 2026 JWC Minutes
• Attendance
  • Legal Services
  • Office & Business Support Services
• CM Gay commented on the economic importance of the area and emphasized the need to push the issue forward. CM Gay stated that he was targeting late May for a noticed meeting on the issue to review options presented by the DEP. CM Gay encouraged those who attended for the George Crady Bridge and Hogpen Creek issues to attend the Duval Delegation meeting to advocate for their concerns.
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Business Consulting
  • General Contractor
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Building & Industrial Supply
• CM Gay stated that he was working with OGC on a plan to go back to the State based on the State's response, that was circulated among the Commissioners, with the help of Captain Suber to put together information and potentially move legislation forward. CM Gay noted that he is holding back funding for signage for Shad Creek and that he was hoping to receive approval from the FWC.
  • Government Authority
  • Legal Services
• COUNCIL RULE 4.505 DISRUPTION OF MEETING
  • Legal Services
  • Security Services
  • Security & Fire Systems Installation
  • Event Planning & Rentals
• Dr. Gerard Pinto reported that the water temperature was approximately 70 degrees and that salinity was slightly higher than normal due to a lack of rainfall, with a six-inch rainfall deficit for the year. Dr. Pinto stated that no new data was available on algae blooms but that new samples were expected soon. He reported that Microcystis algae had been observed further south in Crescent Lake and Lake George and was moving northward toward Jacksonville. Dr. Pinto stated that he anticipated seeing Microcystis algae in Jacksonville as water temperatures reached 80 degrees heading into spring and summer. Dr. Pinto reported two manatee deaths: one that was not necropsied, recovered near Quarantine Island, and one perinatal death in Goodby’s Creek.
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Business Consulting
  • Professional Services (Other)
  • Government Authority
  • Veterinary
  • Pest Control
• Eric Hinton, City Planner, presented on the contract extension between the City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville University for the Manatee Protection Program. Mr. Hinton stated that the City contracted with JU every five years and extended the contract, and that this was the second extension. He stated that the only significant change was an increase in the rate paid to the University. Mr. Hinton stated that the City had been paying JU $90,000 per year for a decade and that the University had requested an enhancement to $103,000 per year.
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Business Consulting
  • Legal Services
  • Landscaping & Lawn Service
  • Government Authority
• George Crady Bridge Update
  • General Contractor
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Concrete & Masonry
  • Construction (Other)
  • Utilities (Sub)
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Real Estate Development
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Government Authority
• Kay Ehas, CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville, presented on the Emerald Trail Project and the McCoy's Creek Restoration.
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Concrete & Masonry
  • General Contractor
  • Construction (Other)
  • Restoration & Waterproofing
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Landscaping & Lawn Service
• Lisa Rinaman, St. Johns Riverkeeper, discussed the blue-green algae referenced earlier by Dr. Pinto before beginning her presentation. Ms. Rinaman stated that her team had been on the St. Johns River in Georgetown, just north of Lake George, approximately 100 miles upriver, and had found signs of an active outbreak of bacteria.
  • Legal Services
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Business Consulting
  • Utilities (Sub)
• Melissa Long, Chief of the Environmental Quality Division, presented a summary of the bill. Ms. Long stated that the bill appropriated grant funding from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the removal of four derelict vessels located in the Ribault River, Trout River, where Clapboard Creek and Cedar Point Creek meet, and near the Jacksonville University campus.
  • Utilities (Sub)
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Trucking & Freight
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Legal Services
  • Waste Management
  • Marine Services & Boat Repair
• Minutes: Steven Libby, Council Research
  • Government Authority
• Mr. Ulysses Cromity spoke on the George Crady Bridge and requested assistance in restoring the bridge.
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Government Authority
• ORD Approp $77,440.00 in Grant Funding from the FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission for Reimbursement of the City’s Costs to Remove & Dispose of 4 Derelict Vessels Located in Public Waterways All within Duval County; Prov for Oversight by the Office of Admin Svcs, Environmental Quality Div (B.T. 26-054) (Dillard) (Req of Mayor) (JWC Apv)
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Utilities (Sub)
  • Waste Management
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • Trucking & Freight
  • Construction (Other)
• Presentation - Contract Extension - COJ & JU Manatee Protection Program (MPP)
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Business Consulting
  • Government Authority
• Presentation Groundwork Jacksonville - Emerald Trail Project/McCoys Creek
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Building & Industrial Supply
  • General Contractor
  • Landscaping & Lawn Service
• Presentation: Legislative Update for Jacksonville Waterways
• 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.
• Shad Creek Resolution - Update
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Legal Services
  • Site Prep, Grading & Hardscape
• St. Johns River Status Report on Water Quality & Manatees
  • Engineering & Architecture
  • Business Consulting
  • Government Authority