Chapter 85 - JACKSONVILLE JOURNEY FORWARD

Sec. 84.310. - Dates and Times. Chapter 86 - HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES COMMISSION Chapter 85 - JACKSONVILLE JOURNEY FORWARD

Sec. 85.101. - Legislative intent.

It is the intent of the Council to establish a public body of the City, which shall exist as a board within the executive branch of the consolidated government, with the comprehensive mission of reducing the social factors that contribute to crime in Duval County and making Duval County a safer and more productive community by aligning all City agencies, programs, and resources affecting crime reduction and fostering an integrative, collaborative, and innovative county and community-wide solution-based approach to reducing crime. In executing its mission, this community-based board shall work in collaboration with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office but without exercising oversight, governance, or control of its operations and initiatives.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.102. - Legislative findings and declaration.

The Council finds and declares that:

(1)

Violent crimes, juvenile delinquency, gang affiliation and family disruption continue to impact the City to the City's moral, economic, social, and academic detriment; and

(2)

In 2009, the Jacksonville Journey was established to address the unacceptable number of violent crimes and high crime rate in Duval County and find solutions and invest increased resources to identify and address factors that contribute to crime; and

(3)

Following the implementation of the Jacksonville Journey and substantial funding of crime reduction programs, accountability for administration of those programs, and implementation of intelligence-led and community-based policing, the City of Jacksonville brought homicide and overall violent crime in Jacksonville to a 40-year low in 2011 until funding for the Jacksonville Journey was reduced substantially and administrative budget cuts caused elimination of 147 police officer positions and 92 community service officer positions from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office; and

(4)

Recently, due to the efforts of the Sheriff of Duval County, the violent crime rate has decreased and the City of Jacksonville is committed to working with the Sheriff to assure the improvement in public safety continues and all necessary steps are taken to resolve and eliminate the factors contributing to violent crime in the City; and

(5)

The City of Jacksonville should reestablish the Jacksonville Journey as the "Jacksonville Journey Forward," reconvene community stakeholders and leaders to address those factors and circumstances that contribute to crime, use the collective power of the community to resolve those factors contributing to crime, and sustain a commitment to assure all Jacksonville residents, neighborhoods and businesses that the City will provide a safe place to live and work; and

(6)

The provisions of this Section are found and declared by the Council to be a public purpose and in the best interest of the public.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.103. - Jacksonville Journey Forward established.

There is hereby established a public body to be known as the Jacksonville Journey Forward, which shall exist as a board within the executive branch of the consolidated government. The Jacksonville Journey Forward ("JF" or "Jacksonville Forward") shall be responsible for reviewing and making recommendations regarding community-based programs, services, activities, and contracts related to factors contributing to crime prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation, neighborhood safety and stability, and prevention of juvenile and adult recidivism ("JF Related Programs"). JF shall also serve as a convenor to organize and engage City agencies, offices, departments, independent agencies, and community leaders and stakeholders to establish a community-based Citywide plan and alignment of all resources to reduce factors contributing to crime and improve public safety. JF is authorized to preserve and register its name and taglines on behalf of the City as to any logos, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.104. - Territorial jurisdiction.

The Jacksonville Journey Forward may review and make recommendations regarding JF Related Programs throughout the General Services District. The City is exercising its powers as a County in the enactment of this Chapter under the authority contained in Section 3.01 of the Charter.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.105. - Membership, organization, and meetings.

(a)

Membership; qualifications. The Jacksonville Journey Forward Board shall consist of 11 members of which four members shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council, three members shall be appointed by the Council President and confirmed by Council, and each of the following persons shall make an appointment of one member to be confirmed by Council, to wit: the Sheriff of Duval County, the State Attorney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, the Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools, and the Chief Judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Members shall be permanent residents of Duval County or maintain a substantial economic or substantial philanthropic interest in Duval County in accordance with Chapter 50 of the Code. To the extent feasible and preferred, but not required, member appointments to serve on the JF board shall include individuals with experience in one or more of the following areas: public health, education, workforce development, contract and compliance, afterschool/camp operations, juvenile diversion programs, violence prevention or intervention, ex-offender re-entry programs, law enforcement and community engagement.

(b)

Term of office and appointment. Members shall serve staggered four-year terms ending on September 30 or until their qualified successors have been appointed and confirmed. No member may serve more than two consecutive full terms. Of the 11 persons selected to initially serve on the Board, the three members appointed by the Council President and confirmed by Council shall serve initial terms of two years, the four members appointed by the Sheriff of Duval County, the State Attorney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, the Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools, and the Chief Judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, respectively, and confirmed by Council shall serve initial terms of three years, and the four members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council shall serve initial terms of four years. Partial terms shall be governed in accordance with Chapter 50 of the Code.

(c)

Removal. Members may be removed or replaced at any time, with or without cause, by the authority appointing the respective member with a majority vote of the Council.

(d)

Vacancy. If a member shall cease to be qualified for membership under the provisions of this Chapter while in office, then the member's term shall automatically expire and the office shall be vacant for purposes of appointing a new member. Each member vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the respective member's unexpired term.

(e)

Organization and proceedings.

(1)

Rules of procedure. The Mayor shall appoint the initial Board chair from among JF members to serve for a term commencing on the day of the appointment and ending on June 30, 2026. Thereafter, the chair shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Board to serve for a one-year term, commencing on July 1 of each year. A board member may serve as chair for no more than three consecutive terms. The Board shall establish rules of procedure necessary to govern and conduct its affairs under this Chapter. Unless otherwise provided in this Chapter, the Board's rules and procedures shall be consistent with applicable provisions of the Ordinance Code.

(2)

Meetings. All Board meetings, including, but not limited to, committee meetings, shall be open to the public and compliant with Florida's Open Meetings Law under Chapter 286, Florida Statutes, as may be amended.

(3)

Administrative Support. The Jacksonville Journey Forward Board shall receive staff support from the Mayor's Office.

(f)

Quorum and voting.

(1)

Quorum. The greater of (i) five members or (ii) a majority of the membership of the board excluding vacant seats shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of meetings and transacting business.

(2)

Voting. Decisions and recommendations of the Board shall require a concurring vote of a majority of the members present.

(g)

Notice. The Board shall ensure that reasonable notice of Board meetings is given to the public in compliance with Florida's Open Meetings Law under Chapter 286, Florida Statutes, as may be amended.

(h)

Compensation. Members shall serve without compensation, pension, or retirement benefits; however, members may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses consistent with Chapter 106, Part 7, Ordinance Code.

(i)

Sheriff Liaison. The Sheriff shall designate a liaison from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to attend Board meetings ("Sheriff Liaison"). The Sheriff Liaison shall not be considered a voting member of the Board for purposes of Florida's Open Meetings Law.

(j)

Council Liaison. The Council President shall annually designate a City Council Member to serve as a liaison to the Jacksonville Journey Forward Board. The Council Liaison shall not be considered a voting member of the Board for purposes of Florida's Open Meetings Law.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2; Ord. 2024-768-E, § 1)

Sec. 85.106. - Community-Based Crime Reduction and Stakeholder Meeting; Community-Based Strategic Plan required.

(a)

Community-Based Crime Reduction and Stakeholder Meeting. The Board shall convene and engage community leaders and stakeholders, including, but not limited to elected and appointed officials, City agencies, offices, departments, independent agencies, private agencies, public agencies, residents, and non-profit agencies to assist the Board with developing and implementing a community-based plan to reduce and eliminate factors contributing to crime for the City (the "Community-based Plan" or "Plan").

(b)

Plan components. After convening and engaging community leaders and stakeholders in accordance with subsection (a) above, the Board shall develop and implement the Plan, which shall include immediate and long-term actions and goals related to crime reduction and public safety. The Plan shall identify its specific community engagement process and program performance metrics. The Plan shall at a minimum include information, directives, and goals regarding the following areas:

i.

Community-based crime prevention, intervention, deterrence, and rehabilitation;

ii.

Family resources and engagement;

iii.

Ex-offender programs;

iv.

Neighborhood safety and stability;

v.

Public and private community partnerships;

vi.

Program performance metrics (short and long-term);

vii.

Use of best practices and models; and

viii.

Contributing factors of crime (e.g., education, mental health, literacy, physical health, workforce training, and positive youth development).

The Plan shall also include strategic efforts to unite and mobilize the City to reduce factors contributing to crime and improve safety of all citizens; establish roles, responsibilities and expected outcomes; measure and oversee accountability to meet expected outcomes; modify actions and goals as necessary to achieve maximum effectiveness; and maintain a sustained focus to maximize results.

(c)

Plan development and approval. JF shall develop, oversee, manage, and implement the Plan consistent with this Chapter. JF shall develop the Plan in conjunction with and utilizing the multidisciplinary experts available in the City and elsewhere. The Plan shall be approved and adopted by the Board and, thereafter, updated and amended by the Board as needed. The Plan shall detail the comprehensive approach to community-based crime prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation, and neighborhood safety and stability. The Board shall provide the Mayor, Council Secretary and the agencies listed in Section 85.111 with a copy of the adopted Plan. In addition to the Plan areas listed in subsections (i)-(viii) above, the Board may include such other elements, directives, or guiding principles in the Plan as determined by the Board to be necessary and consistent with this Chapter.

(d)

Reports.

i.

Report on community initiatives. The Board may request philanthropic and research organizations to report on recently commissioned research and trends they have identified and outcomes they are monitoring regarding factors contributing to crime prevention, intervention, rehabilitation, and neighborhood safety and stability.

ii.

Report Requirement. JF shall provide to the Mayor and Council an initial annual written report on or before December 31, 2025, for the prior fiscal year. Thereafter, JF shall provide an annual report on or before December 31st of each fiscal year for the prior fiscal year. The annual report shall at a minimum report on JF's progress toward meeting its goals and include financial information on the funding appropriated and spent for each funded program. JF shall utilize technology to provide transparent reporting to include programs funding and stakeholder feedback. The annual report shall also be distributed to the agencies listed in Section 85.111.

(e)

Plan review; amendment. JF shall conduct an ongoing and continuing review of the Plan's progress and effectiveness. JF may amend the Plan by a majority vote of the Board. Plan amendments shall be forwarded to the Mayor, Council Secretary and agencies listed in Section 85.111.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.107. - Jacksonville Journey Forward Powers.

(a)

Powers. JF shall have the following powers to:

i.

Develop, manage, oversee, and implement the Community-Based Strategic Plan in accordance with this Chapter;

ii.

Investigate the efficacy of City and community crime reduction or public safety programs and conduct ongoing review and make recommendations regarding such programs;

iii.

Align all City agencies, programs, and resources affecting crime reduction and foster an integrative, collaborative, and innovative county and community-wide, solution-based approach to reducing contributing factors of crime in Duval County;

iv.

Analyze feedback received from community leaders and stakeholders and data received from City contracts that involve or pertain to contributing factors of crime reduction;

v.

Based on data analysis and other factors determined by JF and consistent with the Community-Based Plan, make annual recommendations on programs to be funded by the City Council in the annual budget, subject to the availability of funds;

vi.

Advocate for the investment of new public and private dollars as well as state and federal policy initiatives consistent with the Plan;

vii.

Collect ongoing information and statistical data and conduct ongoing research on community-based crime prevention, intervention, deterrence, and, rehabilitation;

viii.

Review and make recommendations regarding the City's ex-offender programs and the Ex-Offender Program in Part 5 of Chapter 126 of the Code;

ix.

Review and make recommendations to the Sheriff regarding the Jacksonville Re-Entry Center Program;

x.

Coordinate with the Division of Grants and Contract Compliance or other appropriate City departments for federal, state, local, and privately funded grants to obtain funding for programs and services that are consistent with the Plan;

xi.

Request funds to be disbursed from the special revenue fund in accordance with Section 111.330 of the Code;

xii.

Employ employees of the Board pursuant to this Chapter; and

xiii.

Make and adopt bylaws, rules, regulations and policies for the Board's guidance, operation, and governance; however, the Board's bylaws, rules, regulations and policies shall not be inconsistent with this Chapter, federal or state laws or other applicable City ordinances.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.108. - Employees; Civil Service.

(a)

The Board may, subject to lawfully appropriated funds, employ such persons as may be necessary to effectively conduct and accomplish the affairs and duties of the Board under this Chapter. All employment matters shall be handled with assistance from the City's Employee Services Department and be consistent with the City's human resource policies and requirements.

(b)

Civil service. All employees of the Board shall be employees of the City and shall be subject to Articles 16 and 17 of the Charter of the City, except as otherwise provided by Council, and except that any Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director, professional employees, and the heads of activities shall not be within the civil service system of the City and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. Appointment of a Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director shall be subject to confirmation by the Council.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.109. - Annual operating budget; budget transfers.

JF shall annually submit a proposed budget to the Mayor at the time and in the manner specified by the Mayor. The Mayor shall include an annual budget for JF in the Mayor's annual budget proposal.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.110. - Coordination with other public and private agencies; Use of subject matter experts.

JF shall coordinate with federal, state, and private agencies in performing its duties. Such agencies may include, but not be limited to, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, the Sheriff's Office, the State Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, Duval County Public Schools, Kids Hope Alliance, Jacksonville Civic Council, and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. The Board shall designate individuals as subject matter experts ("Subject Matter Experts") with expertise in public health, education, community-based crime reduction and public safety. The Board may consult with and receive presentations from Subject Matters Experts and residents to assist with community convening, engagement, data collection and analysis for the purpose of developing program metrics and support the Board in fulfilling its duties under this Chapter. Subject Matter Experts and citizen participants shall not be considered Board members for purposes of Florida's Open Meetings Law.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.111. - Intra-agency liaison relationships established.

JF shall coordinate regularly with City departments, agencies, and offices in developing and implementing the Plan. The Board shall establish a liaison relationship with the following City departments, independent agencies, and offices regarding the Services to be provided under the Plan:

(a)

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office;

(b)

Kids Hope Alliance;

(c)

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department;

(d)

Jacksonville Public Library;

(e)

Neighborhoods Department;

(f)

Grants and Contract Compliance Division;

(g)

Duval County School Board;

(h)

Jacksonville Housing Authority;

(i)

Jacksonville Housing Finance Authority; and

(j)

Any other City departments, offices or independent agencies as determined by the Board.

A designated liaison from a City department or independent agency shall not be a JF Board member. The liaison's sole purpose shall be to facilitate and communicate information between the JF Board and the City department or agency. The Board shall annually present to the Rules Committee on the effectiveness of the intra-agency liaison relationships required under this Section within three months of the close of the fiscal year, with the first report due before December 31, 2025.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.112. - Advisory committees.

The Board may by rule create one or more advisory committees consisting of representatives of groups, organizations, businesses, and persons involved in community-based crime reduction efforts. An advisory committee may be permanent or ad hoc and its area of responsibility shall be established, expanded, contracted, or changed by the Board as it deems necessary and advisable.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 85.113. - Special Revenue Fund.

JF is authorized to expend funds in the Special Revenue Fund established pursuant to Section 111.330, Ordinance Code, subject to prior Council appropriation.

(Ord. 2024-635-E, § 2)

Sec. 84.310. - Dates and Times. Chapter 86 - HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES COMMISSION