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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-8-26 ARCC Adopted MinutesMINUTES Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee (ARCO) ~� Meeting Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - 6:00 PM City Hall, Commission Chamber Present: Hillary Hickam, Member Josu6 Cruz, Member Desmond Demps-Brooks, Member Absent: Curtis Winter, Member Ingrid McCawley, Member Kaylene Maddox, Member Sondra Goldschmidt, Member Also Present: Jordan Leslie, Recreation Manager 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting of the Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee was called to order on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Present: Hillary Hickam, Jose Cruz, Desmond Demps Brooks Absent: Ingrid McCawley, Sandra Goldsmith, Curtis Winter, Kaylene Maddox Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie noted that all absent members had communicated their absence. As no vote was required at this meeting, the Committee proceeded with the two members present. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie advised that minutes from the previous grant review meeting had already been approved at that session, and therefore no minutes were presented for approval at this meeting. 3. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENTS No visitors or public comments were present. 4. ONGOING BUSINESS A. Grant Programming Highlights The Chair extended formal appreciation to the full Committee for their participation in the all -day grant review session held on August 26, 2026, commending the productive and positive nature of the deliberations. It was noted that the Committee reviewed all submitted applicants in a single session and that the process allowed for thoughtful allocation of the available grant funds. Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee (ARCC) September 8, 2026 Page 1 of 4 A key outcome of the August 26 session was the identification of three programs recommended to be absorbed into the City's operating budget on a permanent basis, rather than continuing to compete annually through the grant process. These programs were recognized as established community staples whose continued existence was deemed essential. Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie explained that recommending these programs for the City budget freed up grant funds to support newer and emerging applicants, allowing more organizations to receive some level of working capital. B. Grant Recommendation Review The Committee reviewed the Grant Recommendations for 2026-27. Total requests across all applicants amounted to $72,620, with a total of $40,000 recommended for grant funding. Three programs — Beaches Juggling Club, Chair Yoga, and Yoga in the Park — were recommended for City Budget funding in lieu of grant awards, reflecting their status as ongoing community programs. One applicant, Beach Gazette, received a recommendation of $0. Two applicants, Beaches Museum and Possibilities Plus, received awards equal to their full requested amounts of $3,000 and $5,000 respectively. All remaining funded applicants received partial awards. The full recommendation schedule is as follows: Committee Member Hillary Hickam. sought clarification on the process for the three programs recommended to the City budget, specifically whether the Committee would formally present those recommendations to the City Commission. Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie confirmed that both the Committee and the Office of Recreation would make those recommendations, and that the City's budget hearings were scheduled for September 14 and September 28, 2026, with the fiscal year beginning October 1. It was noted that the final approved budget would be known by September 28, and that the Committee's next meeting on October 13 would address the specifics of grant disbursement, including a formal resolution for Commission approval. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Marsh Oaks Ribbon Cutting Planning Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie introduced preliminary planning for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Marsh Oaks Park. The tentative concept was to hold the ribbon cutting on Veterans Day, following the existing Veterans Ceremony scheduled at 9:00 AM at the park. The rationale was that the established event would already draw community attendance on a Wednesday, limiting conflicts with travel. Possible additions discussed included a community lunch at the community center. Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie noted that completion of the park's garden by that date remained tentative. Committee Member Hillary Hickam inquired about the nature of the Veterans Ceremony, and Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie described the event as including sound equipment, a guest speaker who is a veteran, a color guard from the Beaches, a national anthem performance, a tribute ceremony, distribution of American flags to attendees, and the ongoing sale of engraved memorial bricks. Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee (ARCC) September S, 2026 Page 2 of 4 Committee Member Hillary Hickam raised the idea of requesting a military flyover to generate community interest in the ribbon cutting. Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie acknowledged that the concept had previously been considered for a July event but had not come to fruition. It was noted that flyovers require FAA approval and military coordination, but that the request carried no cost to the City. Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie indicated that Ladayija Gualillo would be the appropriate contact to pursue such a request given their familiarity with military coordination. The Committee expressed enthusiasm for the idea, particularly given the proximity of Naval Station Mayport. No formal decisions were made on this item, as planning remained in early stages. 6. OTHER AGENDA ITEMS/ANNOUNCEMENTS Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie provided an overview of upcoming City events: Fall Festival — Scheduled for Saturday, September 13, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Donner Park. The event will feature open activities, a pony ride, a family photo section, crafts, food trucks, and vendors, including fall craft vendors new to this year's event. Camp Out — Scheduled for October 17-18 at Jack Russell Park. Programming includes a sea turtle education class presented by Jacksonville University at 5:00 PM, a magician at 6:00 PM, kids' karaoke at 7:00 PM, a movie at 8:30 PM, and a community breakfast Sunday morning. Music Fest — Scheduled for November 21. Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie noted that volunteers would be needed, particularly to assist with age verification, as beer and wine would be served. A substantive discussion arose regarding best practices for alcohol service at a public event. The Chair recommended that dedicated, compensated ID checkers be engaged rather than relying on volunteers, citing liability exposure and the challenge of identifying fraudulent out-of-state identification. It was estimated that two ID checkers at approximately $200 each would represent a reasonable and protective investment. Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie indicated a preference for paper wristbands over stamps for age verification, and the Chair concurred, recommending that the beverage providers — anticipated to be Rev and Mayport Brewing — be approached to supply wristbands at no cost through their distribution partners. The Chair further recommended positioning the ID verification station near the main entrance to facilitate organic participation and alcohol sales, rather than adjacent to the service area. The discussion also addressed the legal framework for the alcohol permit, with Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie explaining that proceeds from alcohol sales must be received by a nonprofit fiduciary, as the City itself is not eligible to retain those proceeds. Wellfest was identified as the nonprofit that has previously served in this role. Artisans Fair — Planned for December, tentatively at Royal Palm. Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie noted an intention to offer wine at the event, pending coordination with the venue. Holiday Tree Lighting — Scheduled two days after the Artisans Fair at the Beaches Town Center. Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie noted that the event is a significant undertaking and that volunteers would be appreciated. Toy Drive — Planned for mid-December at Gail Baker. Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee (ARCC) September 8, 2026 Page 3 of 4 Halloween Event — Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie confirmed that the Police Department's haunted house, a well-regarded community tradition, is expected to return, to be held on the Friday before Halloween, with a trunk -or -treat in the adjacent parking lot. Additionally, Recreation Manager Jordan Leslie noted that a recent nature therapy event hosted by New Age Hippie at Howell Park drew approximately 25 attendees and was well received. 7. ADJOURNMENT Attest: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next ARCC meeting was announced for Monday, October 13, 2026. Jordan Leslie, Recreation Manager J u6 Cruz, Chai Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee (ARCC) September 8, 2026 Page 4 of 4