Raul Arias
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 57
- Total speaking time
- 4:31:49
- Avg per meeting
- 4:46
- Segments
- 5094
Want every word Arias has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Arias said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
JTA Financial Crisis and Subpoena of Outgoing CEO Nat Ford
Paratransit under-budgeting was a major driver of the FY26 expense gap, and a significant portion of the service is unfunded.
Affordable Housing and Property Conveyances
The city will issue a $5 million development loan with a 20-year term and 1% annual interest, with repayments and excess developer distributions returning to the city.
Municipal Budget Appropriations and Trust Funds
Involves a total city budget of $9.2 billion, including a $2.026 billion general fund operating budget.
Electric Bicycle Safety Regulations
Minimal administrative cost for developing standardized educational signs.
Retention Pond Inventory and Safety Regulations
Fencing requirements could trigger state-level regulatory cost analyses exceeding $200,000, and one HOA spent over $10,000 fixing pond compliance issues.
Comprehensive Land Use and Rezoning Reviews
Property values and development costs shift as rural and low-density land is rezoned.
Fort George River Sandbar Vessel Speed Regulation
The city would need to fund the installation of required signage if the no-wake zone is approved.
City Venues and Stadium Operations
About $1.52 million in city expenses through 2028, with a $28,282 gap for the 2026 game covered by the Sports and Entertainment budget.
Government transparency: JEA, JAA, and JAXPORT livestreaming
Minimal — JAA already has the equipment.
State Homestead Exemption Fiscal Impact
Potential state-level tax cuts could significantly impact municipal operating revenues.
JEA meeting transparency charter amendment
JEA would bear the cost of recording and posting its meetings; no estimate is given.
Sibbald Road housing initiative
The East 22nd Street land would have gone at no cost; the Sibbald Road effort asks for negotiation of about 3.45 acres with costs TBD.
Downtown Riverfront Parks Management Partnership
Includes $1.2 million for riverfront park maintenance and $1.257 million for the Jacksonville Riverfront Alliance contract.
Water Safety Education and Infant Swimming Programs
Funding for expanded swimming programs and lifeguard training initiatives will require municipal or partner support.
Cultural and Public Service Grants Funding
Roughly $3.2 million combined across the grant items, mostly from general fund reserves.
Gateway Shopping Mall RV and boat storage
The owners have invested millions in the self-storage conversion already; a traffic study later would cost roughly $25,000-30,000 if triggered.
George Crady Bridge Repair and State Coordination
A study-and-design grant of roughly $3 million to $4 million could be a first step toward a multi-million-dollar rehabilitation.
St. Johns River Water Quality and Manatee Monitoring
Monitoring and restoration projects require ongoing multi-million dollar investments from local and state funding sources.
Sidewalk deferral denial appeal — 19 infill lots, District 8
Sidewalk costs would be passed to homebuyers now, or fall on individual homeowners later if the city ever builds connecting sidewalks.
Downtown Development Incentives and Political Climate
$6 million in city-backed grant and loan money, appropriated by later legislation.
Decisions during term (1269)
Recorded while Arias was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Ordinance 2026-0779 — Industrial parking maximums
Ordinance 2026-0799 — Arbors CDD expansion
Ordinance 2026-0801 — Williamson Lane closure deferred over unpaid taxes
Resolution Q (2026-0777) — Sidewalk deferral appeal continued
Bill 2026-0803 — JEA meeting broadcasts (deferred)
2026-0541 — Beaver St W redevelopment agreement (Publix-anchored project)
2026-0802 — Post-election voting audit system grant ($590,000)
2026-0800 — Inmate Welfare Trust Fund budget ($2,280,097.81)
2026-0811 — Gator Bowl Sports stadium use agreement
2026-0814 — Downtown Vision enhanced municipal services assessment
2026-0756 — Prohibited grant expenditures (vehicle purchases)
2026-0804 — School Crossing Guard Trust Fund (withdrawn)
2026-0805 — Murray Hill Preservation Association grant ($125,000)
2026-0806 — Historic preservation ordinance
2026-0813 — Youth Crisis Center House of Hope ($162,640)
2026-0855 — Shore Manufacturing economic development grant ($65,000)
2026-0865 — Goodwill Summer Youth Works re-appropriation ($150,000, emergency)
2026-0869 — Council suite furniture purchase ($70,000, emergency)
Deferred items — 2024-0966, 2025-0361, 2026-0227, 2026-0320, 2026-0377, 2026-0677, 2026-0808, 2026-0809, 2026-0810, 2026-0867, 2026-0868
ORD Apv an Agrmt for Settlement of Fines Imposed by the Municipal Code Enforcement Brd/Special Magistrate btwn the City & Live Oak Ancient City Living, LLC, a Delaware LLC, & Directing the Mayor, or Her Desig, & the Corp Sec to Execute &…
Voting record (162)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
the item be Approved
Rezoning at 11713 Alta Drive (2026-0660)
Rezoning at 9520 Sandler Road (2026-0695)
Rezoning at 0 103rd Street (2026-0696)
Sign waiver at 960 Girvin Road (2026-0747)
Consent agenda (items 5-25)
Resolution 2026-0830 honoring Phil Amato (Amended)
Kings Creek II CDD contraction (2026-0748)
Ordinance 2026-0748 (Kings Creek II CDD Contraction)
Ordinance 2026-0755 (Traffic Calming & E-Bike Signage)
Ordinance 2026-0644: Cedar Point Preserve Renaming
Ordinance 2026-0662: Deep Creek CDD Establishment
Ordinance 2026-0702: Honorary Street Designation for Sisters of St. Augustine
Ordinance 2026-0704: JEA Collective Bargaining Agreement
Ordinance 2026-0709: Standing Committee Quorum Rule
Ordinance 2026-0720: Pablo Creek Conservation Area Agreement
Ordinance 2026-0780: JTA Intergovernmental Gas Tax Loan Agreement
Electric Bicycles Regulation Ordinance
JEA Revenue Bonds Authorization
Approval of Philips Highway Commercial Rezoning
Approval of Maxville-Middleburg Road Waiver
Approval of Timber Cove Court Rezoning
Approval of Cassat Avenue Rezoning
Approval of West Ashley Street Rezoning
Approval of Lane Avenue South Rezoning
Approval of Moncrief Road West Rezoning
Approval of Gate Parkway Right-of-Way Closure
Approval of Montevilla at Bartram Lakes Traffic Control Agreement
Approval of District 5 Traffic Calming Funds Appropriation
Approval of Honorary Street Naming for Preston H. Haskell, III
Adoption of Rules Amendment (Ord. 2026-590)
Approval of Ordinance 2026-3706
COA Appeal for 3855 Saint Johns Ave
Appeal of Planning Commission Denial for 10344 Atlantic Circle
Jacksonville Housing Authority Downtown East Apartments Loan
Affordable Housing Surplus Property Inventory List
David Washington Litigation Settlement Appropriation
Homeland Security Regional Preparedness Grant Appropriation
Baseball Grounds MLB Requirements Capital Improvement Appropriation
Emerald Trail Land Acquisition & Eminent Domain Oversight
Opposes eminent domain entirely because it strips property rights from citizens.