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September 21, 2021
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Councilman Garrett Dennis has introduced two bills for voter referendum, to be added to the ballot during the upcoming Special Election to be held February 22, 2022. “It is my goal to give the opportunity to help eliminate government waste by cutting the size of government and save taxpayers millions of dollars.” Dennis said.
(EEE) Eliminating Excess Elections- Designed to align the Spring Election with the Gubernatorial Election, this will save the taxpayers approximately $4 million.
(GRB) Government Reduction Bill- Reducing the size of the City Council from 19 members to 14 members to represent each district (eliminates 5 At-Large council seats). This minimization of the size government will save taxpayers approximately $885,000 annually.
Proposed Legislation - Government Reduction Bill
Proposed Legislation - Eliminating Excess Elections
Councilman Garrett Dennis Introduces Issues Statement Regarding New Testing Sites
August 16, 2021
“As we continue to struggle with the overwhelming impact of the Delta variant, we are seeing long lines for COVID testing throughout Jacksonville. This level of demand is exactly why I introduced emergency legislation to provide free testing sites, and I’m grateful my colleagues supported an effort to meet the extraordinary needs of our community.” Dennis said.
August 04, 2021
With the uptick in COVID cases and long waiting lines at current testing sites. Councilman Dennis is proposing the addition of 3 testing sites to be located at Shoppes at Sherwood, Lane Wiley Center, and College Park Center in Arlington. He is asking for emergency funding in the amount of $5 million.
“As a community, we must make testing not only widely available, but also convenient with accessibility to public transportation. Identifying those infected will obviously prevent the continuous spread by requiring immediate quarantine.” Dennis said.
Jacksonville is currently leading Florida with COVID cases.
Proposed Legislation
AGAPE Vaccine and Testing Proposed Budget
October 9, 2020 Jacksonville, Fla. – Councilman Garrett Dennis has filed a bill that would create a civil citation program as an alternative to making arrests for possession of twenty grams or less of cannabis. The civil citation program would provide police officers the option to issue a civil citation or require the completion of community service hours.
“Last year, I advanced civil citation legislation which did not receive the support required from my colleagues to become law. Under the leadership of Council President Hazouri, the City Council has a heightened focus on social justice. After another year of continuing to observe other municipalities take similar action, it’s time we revisit this very critical issue in Jacksonville. I look forward to robust public discussion with my colleagues and community input,” Dennis said.
Ordinance 2020-620 (Original Bill)
October 7, 2020 Jacksonville, Fla. – Following the announcement of the City of Jacksonville borrowing $208.3 million for Lot J, Councilman Dennis has introduced legislation to borrow an additional $41.5 million to fund Capital Improvement Projects in all 14 council districts.
“While I believe in investing in a vibrant downtown, the needs of all citizens throughout Jacksonville are just as great, if not greater. This legislation would immediately fund projects to make much-needed infrastructure improvements and increase the quality of life for citizens in every corner of Jacksonville. This funding will also address septic tank phase-outs, which is a significant need in our community,” Dennis said.
Council Member Dennis Proposed Ordinance | Exhibit 1 | Exhibit 2
October 2, 2020 Jacksonville, Fla. –
Who: Councilman Garrett Dennis and Representative Tracie Davis
What: Thousands in Jeopardy of Not Being Allowed to Vote in November
When: Friday, October 2, 2020
11:30 am
Where: Supervisor of Elections Office
105 East Monroe Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Why: Over 7,000 residents in Duval County have submitted voter registration applications and are not registered to vote. The goal is to raise the awareness of this issue by encouraging residents to check their registration TODAY with the Supervisor of Elections Office to be certain they’re eligible to vote.
June 17, 2020 Jacksonville, Fla. – Following the removal of the Confederate monument in Hemming Park, Council Member Dennis has introduced new legislation to rename the park James Weldon Johnson Park.
“Not only was James Weldon Johnson born and raised in Jacksonville, he has become a historic public figure, known for his famous song, ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.’ I think this is a perfect time and way to honor Mr. Johnson, particularly at a time where everyone simply wants to lift their voices and be heard. In addition, today marks his 149th birthday. It is an honor to memorialize him through this piece of legislation,” Dennis said.
June 8, 2020 Jacksonville, Fla. – Following an announcement that JEA would resume disconnection of services on July 7, 2020, Council Member Dennis will hold a noticed meeting Tuesday, June 9, at 10:30 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss options to assist customers at risk of disconnection.
“There are currently 24,223 JEA accounts at risk of disconnection and it is alarming that in less than a month these accounts may be disconnected. It is our responsibility as elected officials to help our most vulnerable. I believe there are steps we can take to help customers immediately and look forward to having this discussion with my colleagues and the leadership team at JEA,” Dennis said.
To Join the Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/91766541014?pwd=VWYyb3BGSTZwWFNhVUg0QXZoa2wydz09
Meeting ID: 917 6654 1014
Password: 737517
June 4, 2020 Jacksonville, Fla. – In an effort to take meaningful legislative action, Council Member Garrett Dennis has introduced the following legislation:
- 2020-0325 A resolution urging Sheriff Williams to work cooperatively with the State Attorney’s Office, along with public input, to refine and improve the current policy regarding the release of body camera.
- 2020-0326 A resolution supporting the passage of a policy designating City Hall as a “Hit Free Zone,” to include training of employees for an appropriate response.
- 2020-0320 An ordinance relating to the Council Rules to allow for public comment at the beginning of City Council meetings as well as the end.
- 2020-0311 An amendment to the Jacksonville Small Emerging Business Program, mandating a 20% goal on all contracts for small and emerging businesses, which could potentially secure $60 million in contracting opportunities annually.
June 3, 2020 Jacksonville, Fla. – After a discussion at the Special City Council Meeting and a plea for unity, City Council members and other elected local and state representatives will have a Solidarity Walk on Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. The walk will begin on the steps of City Hall, 117 West Duval Street, and end at the Jacksonville Fire Rescue – Station 1, 611 North Liberty St., Jacksonville, FL 32202.
“The citizens of Jacksonville are looking for leadership from their elected officials during this period of unrest due to racial inequality cross our nation,” Dennis said. “I have also invited the mayor and the sheriff to join this very important movement. We need to show the citizens who elected us that we see them, we hear them, and we care.”
May 26, 2020 Jacksonville, Fla. – Tonight the Jacksonville City Council unanimously passed bill 2020-0243 introduced by Councilman Garrett Dennis.
“This bill appropriates $5 million of CARES Act, and allows us to help 5,000 additional families who have been drastically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have a responsibility to offer assistance to those who have had a loss of employment, or a significant reduction in hours by no fault of their own,” Dennis said.
February, 19, 2020, Message from Council Member Garrett Dennis - "After years of working with multiple owners, the residents, and organizations supporting the residents of Valencia Way (formerly Eureka Gardens), I want to thank the new ownership group for their commitment to the residents and to the City of Jacksonville. The Millennia Companies said they would provide the basic human living conditions my District 9 constituents deserved and they backed up their commitment with action. This week, my colleagues joined me in supporting legislation to reduce ad valorem taxes for the property owners and, with active involvement of the new owners and the positive feedback of the residents, I was proud to support the legislation as a stronger sign of partnership with Millennia Companies.
I also want to thank the tenants’ association for their tireless efforts to hold the ownership groups accountable and represent the entire Valencia Way community.
Most importantly, I commend the Valencia Way residents for their patience through the improvement process. They have lived through years of inhumane living conditions and poor management, years of repeated gas leaks, weeks of no hot water during the renovations, and the disruption of the improvement process.
As the Millennia Companies knows, I will continue to hold them accountable to the basic needs of my constituents and I thank them for their continued efforts to providing safe and decent housing."
July 3, 2018, News4Jax - Council Member Garrett Dennis spoke at the "Stop the Killing" Community Meeting hosted by the New Town Success Zone. The event brought community leaders together to address ways schools, churches, and businesses can work towards decreasing violence in Jacksonville.
May 15, 2018, Jacksonville, FL - Council Member Garrett Dennis held a public meeting to discuss allegations of a Sunshine Law violation. The Florida Sunshine law mandates that discussions between elected officials on official business must occur at noticed meetings open to the public. Click here for meeting minutes, handout, and sign-in sheet.
May 10, 2018, Action News Jax - The Rail Yard District Business Council held its first meeting on May 9th to discuss how local business can work together to cultivate commerce in the district. Council Member Garrett Dennis, who represents the district, suggested ways to attract business such as utilizing the Northwest Economic Fund, rezonings, and general advocacy.
April 18, 2018, Media Release - Jacksonville City Council Member Garrett Dennis filed legislation to amend the JEA Charter to give the City Council a majority of the JEA board appointments. Please click here to view the legislation.
April 5, 2018, Wolfson Children's Hospital - Council Member Garrett Dennis spoke at the Wolfson Children's Hospital Press Conference on Hit Free Zones to explain legislation he introduced which would ban spanking in city owned places.
March 20, 2018, WJCT - "Council members and their constituents are becoming frustrated with the lack of visible progress being made clean-up of toxic ash in the soil in Jacksonville’s northwest side."
Click here for audio from the meeting hosted by Council Member Dennis to discuss ash remediation.
March 13, 2018, First Coast News - Council Member Garrett Dennis introduced a resolution banning spanking in city owned places.
February 6, 2018 Jacksonville, Fla. - Councilman Garrett Dennis hosted a meeting with fellow council members to discuss news reports about the possible sale of JEA and receive input from the public.
Click here for the meeting video: JEA Privatization
Media reports on the possible sale can be found on the following links:
Florida Times Union
News4Jax
Folio Weekly
Daily Record
February 1, 2018 - Councilman Garrett Dennis attended a greet and dine held at the Potter's House Soul Food Bistro. At the event he discussed upcoming projects in Northwest Jacksonville with district residents.
January 18, 2018, The Florida Times Union. - "Councilman Garrett Dennis, who chairs the [Finance] committee, told members his office got a spreadsheet from Goldsbury showing owners of about 800 buildings in his district that had storm repairs that could qualify for the refund."
January 11, 2018, Message from Council Member Garrett Dennis - "I recently introduced Ordinance 2017-695-E that provides for a refund on permit application fees paid between September 11 and December 31, 2017. The refund will allow for certain types of roofing and electrical service repairs for damaging specifically caused by the hurricane."
Click here to download the Refund Affadavit Form. Please contact the Building Inspection Division with any questions at 904-630-1100.
January 9, 2018, News4Jax - Months after the I-TEAM documented more bodies arriving at the Medical Examiner's Office in Jacksonville than they can handle, City Council approved emergency funding to get the office more space.
May 27, 2016, Jacksonville, Fla. - From the ocean to rivers, swimming pools to ponds, water has a substantial presence throughout Jacksonville and its communities. With such easy access to water, water-related education and awareness are important in keeping citizens safe. As Health and Safe Swimming Week (May 23 - 29) concludes, and Memorial Day weekend begins, Mayor Lenny Curry and Councilman Garett Dennis hosted a news conference today to announce an initiative and programs that teach swimming and promote water safety practices.
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