Q & A with Jacksonville City Council Member Michael Boylan, District 6

Q: Would you like to share your thought process for your recent vote against moving the Women of the Confederacy statue?
A: During the discussion at the City Council meeting, I shared that I could not support the use of CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) funds for this purpose. The foundation of my position was based upon the recommendations of the Working Group the mayor had put together in August of 2020. I agree with the group that the future of Jacksonville’s monuments to the Confederacy currently located in James Weldon Johnson Park, Springfield Park, and the Old City Cemetery should be determined as part of a comprehensive plan, building on the work of the Civil Rights History Task Force and other groups and partners that are already engaged in preserving, restoring, and interpreting the history of Jacksonville’s people and public spaces, rather than take down the statues individually. 

Q: What is upcoming on the City Council calendar?
A: The council is embarking on some strategic planning for one, three and five year plans and as part of this, I am proposing a comparative analysis of the structure, resources and processes of our city’s Public Works Department to see how we compare to similarly sized cities. My concern is how do we get the needs of all of our constituents addressed in a timely fashion in light of a number of upcoming public works projects coming online due to the Local Option Gas Tax?

Q: Do you have any proposed rezonings in the Mandarin area to share?
A: As of today [interview date of Nov. 16], the Aladdin Road/Julington Creek Road parcel of a little more than 39 acres, roughly half which is wetlands, for the development of 54 homes has been deferred until Dec. 7. This application was denied one year ago due to an access issue off Aladdin Road, but it’s now back up for consideration. 

Q: What is the latest on curbside recycling?
A: I have no new updates regarding the resumption of the recycled waste services. While we have received little to no complaints regarding missed yard waste, we are hearing about instances where both garbage and/or recycled cans are not being collected as they should. Contact my office to let me know about those situations and we will be sure to follow up.

Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 6?

A: The City of Jacksonville has federal funds available to provide rental, mortgage and utility assistance to qualifying families. Visit www.coj.net/departments/parks-and-recreation/social-services/emergency-financial-assistance-program for more information. To date more than $28 million has been provided for rental and utility assistance and $2.8 million in mortgage assistance.

Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?

A: Community members can email me at MBoylan@coj.net or call (904) 255-5206.