Jacksonville City Council recognizes JEA, JAA and JAXPORT for Puerto Rico relief partnership

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Introduced by Council Members Carter and Schellenberg and Co-Sponsored by Council Members Crescimbeni, Becton, Bowman, R. Brown, Anderson, Newby, Boyer, Brosche, K. Brown, Dennis, Ferraro, Gaffney, Gulliford, Hazouri, Love, Morgan, and Wilson and amended by the Rules Committee and amended on the Floor of Council:

RESOLUTION 2018-25-A

A RESOLUTION HONORING AND COMMENDING JEA, THE JACKSONVILLE AVIATION AUTHORITY, AND JAXPORT FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO PUERTO RICO IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE MARIA; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS,  JEA, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) and JAXPORT are independent agencies of the City of Jacksonville; and

WHEREAS,  JEA deployed linemen to assist in rebuilding electrical and utility infrastructure in Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria; and

WHEREAS,  on October 8, 2017, JEA utilized Cecil Airport as the departure point for the first deployment of approximately 41 linemen to Puerto Rico; and

WHEREAS,  the Cecil Airport staff provided operational support and gave families access to the airside ramp to send off their loved ones; and

WHEREAS,  on November 7, 2017, JEA utilized Jacksonville International Airport as the departure point for the second deployment of about 40 linemen to Puerto Rico and for the return of 41 linemen from the first deployment; and

WHEREAS,  the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) staff provided logistical and operational support to families of linemen leaving for the second deployment; this included providing a room for families to meet, refreshments and transportation for the linemen to the aircraft; and

WHEREAS,  on the evening of November 7, 2017, the first deployment of JEA linemen returned from Puerto Rico, landing at JAX; and

WHEREAS,  JAX staff provided operational assistance to transport the linemen from the charter aircraft to the terminal; the families were offered respite, refreshments and access to a viewing area as they waited in the terminal to reunite with the returning linemen; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Jacksonville is the No. 1 partner for commercial trade with Puerto Rico; and

WHEREAS, JAXPORT’s three Puerto Rican carriers have all expanded operations to deliver emergency aid to the island; and

WHEREAS, JAXPORT, its shipping and logistics partners and generous donors from Jacksonville’s business community organized a relief program raising funds to cover the transportation costs associated with sending cargo containers full of basics such as food, water, batteries and hygiene items, ultimately delivering more than 500,000 pounds of these donated supplies to storm victims in Puerto Rico; and

WHEREAS,  joining countless other agencies, businesses and communities, JEA, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and JAXPORT showed their compassion and goodwill in providing much needed assistance to the people of Puerto Rico in their time of need and we commend their selfless efforts; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville:

Section 1.      The City Council does hereby honor and commend JEA, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and JAXPORT for their partnership in providing assistance to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.               

Section 2.      Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon signature by the Mayor or upon becoming effective without the Mayor’s signature.