Jacksonville Beach — Several residents used the public-comment period of the May 5 City Council meeting to press officials on three neighborhood issues: prolonged construction that blocked driveway access without prior notice, an allegedly unsafe handicap-designated dune walkover that led to a recent injury, and daytime employee parking displacing residents on Fourth Street South.

Leo Bridal, who lives on Second Street South, described a construction zone that has been active since December 2024 and said contractor crews removed his driveway access on April 14 without prior written notice. Bridal said the contractor told him his driveway could be out of service for "up to two weeks" without firm timing and that subsequent parking passes and temporary parking allocations were not provided by the contractor as required; he said city staff later advised Oceanfront Park parking passes were available but that enforcement was inconsistent, especially on weekends when beachgoers fill the lot and disregard cones.

Dale Templin, who also lives on Second Street South, said a dune walkover listed on the city website as handicap accessible is unsafe in practice. He recounted that his 85-year-old mother-in-law fell on the walkover and broke a rib, and asked staff to investigate the facility’s condition and the city’s process for correcting accessibility hazards. Templin said multiple contacts with city offices produced slow responses.

Dennis Walrath, representing the Courtney South Beach neighborhood, raised an ongoing issue on Fourth Street South where employees of nearby businesses, including a veterinary office, park along a 50-yard stretch all day and block access and safety at multiple nearby intersections. He asked the council to prompt quick action — signage, enforcement, or outreach to businesses — to avoid a potential traffic-safety incident.

Staff response and next steps: The clerk accepted photos and maps from residents for follow-up. City staff present advised residents to leave materials with the clerk; Public Works and parking enforcement staff will investigate driveway-access procedures for active construction, the condition and posted accessibility of dune walkovers, and options to address employee parking on Fourth Street. The council did not take immediate formal action during the meeting but directed staff follow-up through the clerk’s office.

Why it matters: The comments highlight operational and communication gaps during long-term construction projects, potential ADA accessibility issues for public beach facilities and neighborhood safety concerns caused by employee parking. Residents asked for clearer contractor notice requirements and more consistent enforcement of temporary parking arrangements.

Documentation: Residents left photos and a map with the clerk; staff indicated follow-up would be coordinated through Public Works and the city clerk’s office.