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.
 

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.
 

Hey, friends, colleagues and constituents, we would like to invite you to participate in our caravan campaign for 1, 2 or all 3 days to promote the Census and Get Out To Vote.  We need your HELP in getting the word out by saying YES, that you will drive your vehicle through the neighborhoods with us (Council Members Ju’Coby Pittman, Reggie Gaffney, Garrett Dennis and Brenda Priestly Jackson).  Wear your mask, bring your flag and let’s rally the community together, to make a change for the Census and Get Out to VOTE!
 

JACKSONVILLE, Florida, Sept. 4, 2020 – The much-awaited dog park in City Council District 3 is now open. A ribbon cutting was held this morning to celebrate the opening in time for families and dogs to enjoy during the Labor Day weekend. The dog park, located at Abess Park, 12743 Abess Blvd. near the corner of Girvin Rd. and Abess Blvd., will be open daily from dawn to dusk, and feature separate fenced areas for large dogs and small dogs. The large dog section will include a loop trail through the woodland area and an open grassy field for free play. Small dogs will be able to play in a shaded grassy field. Benches, drinking fountains and other amenities will be added for everyone’s enjoyment.

JACKSONVILLE, FL, August 4, 2020 – This morning Councilman Rory Diamond met with Jacksonville-area veterans groups advocating for the re-naming of Hemming Park to “Veterans Memorial Park.”   While each of the leaders representing a broad range of Jacksonville veterans feel passionately that we must recognize the many sacrifices of our freedom fighters, each of them agreed to support the renaming of Hemming Park to “James Weldon Johnson Park” to recognize the unique contribution Johnson made to our city and nation.  Councilman Diamond will introduce an amendment to Bill 2020-357 to include both renaming of Hemming Park for Johnson and the inclusion of a “Veterans Memorial Plaza” within that park in the area around the American and service branch flags.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Incoming Council President Tommy Hazouri confirmed his support for the continuation of the Special Committee on Resiliency in a June 30^th memorandum noting the committee’s official charge and makeup. In a noticed meeting on July 14^th, outgoing committee Chair, Councilmember Matt Carlucci, welcomed the appointment of Councilmember Randy DeFoor as the committee’s new Chair. In addition to Councilmembers Carlucci and DeFoor, Councilmembers Michael Boylan, Garrett Dennis, and Joyce Morgan will sit on the committee.
 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. June 17, 2020 — In accordance with Ordinance 2005-361- E, the first Committee week and City Council meeting in the month of July 2020 are suspended due to the Legislated Summer Break.
 

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.