Chapter 86 - HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES COMMISSION

Sec. 85.113. - Special Revenue Fund. Chapter 90 - BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES Chapter 86 - HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES COMMISSION

Sec. 86.101. - Intent.

It is the intent of this Chapter to create an advisory body to oversee and make recommendations regarding the use and distribution of all funds deposited in the Homelessness Initiatives Special Revenue Fund established in Section 111.920, Ordinance Code.

(Ord. 2024-111-E, § 1)

Sec. 86.102. - Establishment.

Addressing the needs of Duval County's homeless and chronically unhoused populations is an issue of significant concern and importance to the City and the Jacksonville community. To ensure funds deposited in the Homelessness Initiatives Special Revenue Fund are utilized in a way that maximizes the impact of those dollars in combatting homelessness and supporting a variety of programs and initiatives to meet the needs of the homeless and chronic unhoused populations in Duval County, there is hereby established an advisory commission to be known as the Homelessness Initiatives Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission").

(Ord. 2024-111-E, § 1)

Sec. 86.103. - Composition; Liaisons; Terms; Removal.

(a)

Composition. The Commission shall be composed of seven voting members as follows:

(1)

Four members of the general public appointed by the Council President and confirmed by Council.

(2)

Three members of the general public appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council.

To the extent possible, each of the members of the general public should possess specialized knowledge about the needs of the homeless and chronic unhoused populations. This would include individuals who currently work or have worked with these populations and/or individuals who have knowledge of existing programs, initiatives and services as well as knowledge of current or potential funding sources that are or could be directed to those programs, initiatives and services.

(b)

Liaisons. The City Council President shall annually designate a City Council Member to serve as a liaison to the Commission. In addition, the Sheriff shall designate a liaison to the Commission from amongst his staff with preference given to an officer who regularly works and interacts with the Duval County homeless and/or chronically unhoused populations. These are non-voting positions and the liaisons shall not be considered members of the Commission for Florida's Open Meetings Law purposes.

(c)

Terms. Members shall be appointed for staggered three-year terms commencing March 1 or upon confirmation by Council, whichever is earlier, but shall serve until their successor is appointed and confirmed by the City Council. Of the initial appointments, three members appointed from the general public shall serve for two-year first full terms and four members appointed from the general public shall serve for three-year first full terms. The Council President's initial appointments shall include two members to serve an initial three-year first full term and two members to serve an initial two-year first full term. The Mayor's initial appointments shall include one member to serve an initial two-year first full term and two members to serve an initial three-year first full term. No member shall serve more than two consecutive full terms; but appointments to fill vacancies for partial terms (less than 50 percent of a full term) and initial appointments under the preceding sentence for less than three years, shall not be deemed to be full terms and may be reappointed for up to two additional consecutive full terms.

(d)

Removal. Commission members appointed by the Mayor shall serve and be removed at the pleasure of the Mayor. Members appointed by the Council President shall serve and be removed at the pleasure of the Council President.

(Ord. 2024-111-E, § 1; Ord. 2024-765-E, § 2; Ord. 2024-844-E, § 4)

Sec. 86.104. - Functions, powers and duties.

In addition to such powers, duties and authority as may be set forth elsewhere in the Ordinance Code, the Commission is hereby authorized to:

(a)

Review and assess the current unmet needs of Duval County's homeless and chronic unhoused populations and any gaps in existing programs and services targeting these populations;

(b)

Annually review and recommend programs, initiatives and services to be funded by Homelessness Initiatives Special Revenue Fund dollars, including specific amounts to be allocated to those programs, initiatives and services, for inclusion in the City's annual budget;

(c)

Identify funding sources, both public and private, to assist in the provision of appropriate services for Duval County's homeless and chronic unhoused populations and make recommendations to the City Council and the Mayor with respect to how these funding sources are best utilized and administered, including how said funding could be leveraged for additional funds;

(d)

Create a five-year Strategic Plan outlining appropriate programs, services and initiatives to combat homelessness - this Strategic Plan should be tailored to address the unique needs of Duval County's homeless and chronic unhoused populations; the initial Strategic Plan shall be presented to the Council committee of reference tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on measures addressing homelessness on or before December 31, 2025;

(e)

Create an annual Action Plan that includes specific goals and measurables to effectuate the Strategic Plan; the initial Action Plan shall be presented to the Council committee of reference tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on measures addressing homelessness on or before December 31, 2025;

(f)

Annually review the Strategic Plan and Action Plan and make recommendations to the Council committee of reference tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on measures addressing homelessness for updates and changes to both Plans on or before March 1 each year beginning March 1, 2026;

(g)

Act as a motivating and coordinating body to encourage joint public and private participation in serving the needs of Duval County's homeless and chronic unhoused populations.

(Ord. 2024-111-E, § 1; Ord. 2024-765-E, § 2; Ord. 2025-223-E, § 2)

Sec. 86.105. - Organization and proceedings.

(a)

Officers. The Commission shall select a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members to serve for a one-year term commencing in July and may create and fill such other offices as it may deem necessary or desirable.

(b)

Rules of procedure. The Commission shall establish rules of procedure necessary to its governing and the conduct of its affairs, consistent with the applicable provisions of the Ordinance Code.

(c)

Voting; quorum. All decisions and recommendations of the Commission shall require a concurring vote of a majority of the members present. Four members shall constitute a quorum.

(d)

Administrative support. The Commission shall receive staff support from the Neighborhoods Department.

(e)

Meetings. The Commission shall meet at least monthly with the exception that the Commission may meet once between June and August of each year and once between November and December each year so long as it timely meets all deadlines and obligations outlined in this Chapter. All meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with Florida's open meetings law.

(f)

Notice. Notice of regular meetings shall be posted at least seven days in advance, excluding weekends and holidays, on the City of Jacksonville web events calendar. Notice of special meetings shall be posted at least 48 hours in advance, excluding weekends and holidays, on the City of Jacksonville web events calendar. No other advertisement or notification is required.

(g)

Compensation. Members shall serve without compensation, pension or retirement benefits; however, members may be compensated for travel expenses as provided in Chapter 106, Part 7, Ordinance Code.

(h)

Compliance. The Commission shall be subject to the provisions of F.S. Ch. 112, Pt. III, and Chapters 50, 58 and 602, Ordinance Code, except as may be set forth in this Chapter.

(Ord. 2024-111-E, § 1)

Sec. 85.113. - Special Revenue Fund. Chapter 90 - BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES