Mayor Deegan signs a 336-page stadium construction contract with the Jaguars to the City Council

Mayor Donna Deegan introduced the regulations for the Jaguars’ stadium deal on Tuesday — containing 336 densely worded pages spanning eight different agreements — triggering an expedited review by the City Council, which could vote June 25 on all or most of the regulations.

Deegan had to submit the bill by noon Tuesday for the City Council to officially add it to the agenda for the evening council meeting. She met that deadline with a few minutes to spare. City Council President Ron Salem said during a luncheon speech to Jacksonville Business Professionals that he received a text from Deegan that the bill had been filed at 11:53 a.m.

In recognition of the historic nature of the legislation, it was numbered 2024-904, a reference to the Jacksonville area code and its nickname “The 904.”

There will be a special City Council meeting next Monday at 5 p.m. at City Hall where people can voice their support or opposition during an official public hearing.

Salem said wherever he goes in Jacksonville, people approach him about a stadium deal.

“Overall, I think most people I meet want a review of the plan, which is what we’re doing, but generally support the deal itself,” Salem told reporters after a luncheon. “I hope this will be adopted by an overwhelming majority at council level.”

Salem has set a schedule for council to vote on the stadium legislation within two weeks, although he has said he favors amending Deegan’s legislation to withdraw the community benefits agreement, which is one of eight agreements reached by the mayor and the Jaguars.

If a majority of the City Council agreed to such an amendment, the council would still vote that evening on the seven agreements included in Deegan’s legislation and postpone a decision on the community benefits agreement until later in the summer.

The centerpiece of the legislation is a stadium construction agreement detailing how the city will provide $775 million for $1.4 billion in work related to extensive renovations and reconstruction of EverBank Stadium. Jaguars owner Shad Khan will foot the rest of the bill and the Jaguars will be responsible for cost overruns. In exchange for extensive stadium improvements, the lease will extend the Jaguars’ use of the stadium for another 30 years.

In addition to these two agreements, Deegan’s legislation includes a stadium security agreement, a stadium parking agreement and a stadium non-relocation agreement.

The legislation includes updates to two existing agreements between the city and Khan regarding the use of the Miller Electric Center’s practice fields and offices and the Daily’s Place amphitheater.

Completing the package is a $300 million community benefits agreement in which the Jaguars will contribute $150 million and the city will match $150 million. The money will go to parks, workforce development, affordable housing and reducing homelessness.

Deegan wants the City Council to vote on the package of agreements as one piece of legislation, including the community benefits agreement that she and the Jaguars have touted as the largest ever agreed to by an NFL franchise.

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The JAX Chamber and the Jacksonville Citizens Council, an influential group of local business and community leaders, supported both the proposed stadium agreement and community benefits agreement.

“We strongly urge these to be completed as a package,” said Civic Council chief executive Dennis Whittle. “The stadium deal is one of the largest investments the city has ever made, and we believe a community benefits agreement is necessary to ensure it benefits not only the people who come to the stadium, but everyone in the city.”

The Jaguars also touted the community benefits agreement as team president Mark Lamping joined Deegan at five town hall events across the city.

Salem said before committing to a deal regarding the city’s share of community benefits, council members need to review Deegan’s proposed 2024-2025 budget, which she will present in mid-July. “That’s why I think there are a lot of discussions that need to be held and I would prefer them to take place in a more orderly way once we have a stadium deal,” he said.

A member of Jacksonville Business Professionals asked what kind of long-term financial planning the city is undertaking to account for $775 million in stadium renovations, $150 million in community benefits agreement, potentially $244 million in incentives for three major downtown development facilities, and the prospect of re-offering pensions to new police and firefighter employees for the first time since 2017 by enrolling them in the Florida Retirement System.

Salem said the question “was the argument I was trying to make” about including a proposed community benefits agreement in the budget process later this summer.

Details of offer:Everything you need to know about the mayor’s proposed “Stadium of the Future” deal with the Jaguars.

The City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and, if necessary, workshops on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

After the public hearing next Monday, the City Council will meet on June 20 at 9.00 – 15.00 and June 21 from 9.00 – 16.00 during sessions devoted to stadium legislation. During these meetings, Council members will be able to table amendments and the Council as a whole will be able to make recommendations for legislation.

Then, on June 25, the City Council will meet for a regular session to vote on the bill. The City Council will begin earlier than usual that day at 3 p.m., and anyone wishing to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting will be required to complete a speaker card by 4 p.m.

Times-Union staff writer Hannah Holthaus contributed to this report.

Mayor Deegan signs a 336-page stadium construction contract with the Jaguars to the City Council

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Mayor Deegan signs a 336-page stadium construction contract with the Jaguars to the City Council

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