Jacksonville Beach council approves commemorative sign for fallen firefighter Ian Church

Jacksonville Beach City Council on June 2 voted to approve a commemorative sign honoring fallen firefighter Ian Church to be placed at South Beach Park.

Trevor Hughes, chief of parks development and maintenance for the City of Jacksonville Beach Parks and Recreation Department, told council the naming policy allows naming of buildings, facilities and driveways and that the applicant’s request did not meet the established criteria for an honorary street sign but could be accommodated through the city’s naming policy. "The policy gives us opportunity to name not only buildings, facilities, but driveways, different types of every, commemorative areas within the city," Hughes said as he described the proposed sign and fee structure, noting the sign would be similar to the honorary street sign over the driveway at Fire Station 60.

One public commenter submitted a card in support but did not speak. Council member Golding expressed sympathy to the family: "I just want to thank Mrs. Church for your husband's service to our community with the fire department and express my sympathy for your loss. It was taken way too young," she said. The council approved the sign by roll call vote; all members present voted yes and the motion carried unanimously.

City staff said the sign will adhere to fees in the honorary street program and will be installed on the driveway at South Beach Park. The council thanked Fire Station 60 staff for their community service. The motion carried with a unanimous roll call vote; further administrative details including permit processing and installation scheduling will be handled by Parks and Recreation.