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Jacksonville reduces Park Safety Council attendance threshold to three members
Mayor Donna Deegan has lowered the number of members needed for Jacksonville’s Park Safety Council to conduct business, after repeated attendance problems left it unable to carry out its oversight role. The council has issued only one public report since it began meeting in 2021.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan signed an executive order lowering the Park Safety Council’s quorum from four members to three, a change that took effect Oct. 13.
The six-member volunteer council reviews park inspections and is intended to issue public reports about safety at city parks. Under its previous rules, at least four members had to attend to vote or approve business. Attendance problems repeatedly prevented the group from meeting that threshold, and it has produced just one public report since it began meeting in 2021.
Council Chair Bruce Tyson had asked city officials to reduce the quorum and improve the process for recruiting volunteers. After a meeting again failed to draw enough members, the city moved ahead with the change.
The council was established by executive order under former Mayor Lenny Curry following the death of a toddler at an Arlington park nearly a decade ago. Its next meeting is scheduled for November.