City Council president-elect Elaine Brown and Vice President-elect Kevin Hyde will take the oath of office Tuesday night at the Council’s installation ceremony. Event organizers promise a fairly brief ceremony, with refreshments and entertainment to follow in Hemming Plaza.
If you are planning to attend, here’s what you’ll need to know:
EVENT EMCEE
Former Council member and State representative Ginny Myrick. Myrick, now a government consultant, is a close friend of Brown’s.
PARKING
A early concern, Council representatives confirmed last week that three area garages will be used for visitors. The St. James Garage, located under City Hall, is restricted to Council members and others with regularly assigned spaces. However two other garages will be free to the public for the evening. They are the JEA parking garage on Church Street — all spaces are fair game — and the First Baptist Garage No. 1.
All will remain open from 5-10 p.m. The garages will close at 10 p.m, so if your car is there, it will have to remain overnight. Various surface lots, including one located near the Greyhound Bus Station and one at the corner of Main and Church streets, will also be an option. Central Parking Services has agreed not to charge for the evening.
ENTERTAINMENT
Music will play a major role both in and outside of the actual ceremony. During the ceremony, The River City Band has been commissioned to play, and the Ritz Voices also will perform. Later, in Hemming Plaza, the River City Band will continue to play.
TRANSPORTATION
A special Jacksonville Transportation Authority trolley will be running for the duration of the event. Paid for by the JTA, it will stop at designated lots. Temporary signage will be in place to inform passengers of the route and wait times.
OTHER BUSINESS
Aside from Brown and Hyde’s swearing in, two awards will be given. The Robert O. Johnson Award, which is given to an exemplary City or independent agency employee, and the Charles D. Webb Award, which is given by outgoing-president Lad Daniels to the Council member of his choice. Past recipients include Gwen Yates and former Council member Doyle Carter.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
The ceremony, which will be held in the Council Chambers, has limited seating so you’ll need an invitation to get in. The after-party at Hemming Plaza, JMoMA and the Seminole Club is open to the public. Just make sure to “act right.” Police officers will be on duty to supervise the event.
— by J. Brooks Terry