City manager reports progress on water quality, roadwork, splash pad feasibility and affordable‑housing grants

Palatka — During administrative reports, the city manager updated commissioners on multiple service and capital items: improvements to water‑treatment systems, progress on street resurfacing, feasibility work on a splash pad, and implementation of an affordable‑housing grant.

Manager’s report: Staff said the water‑treatment plant quality metric improved substantially from a problematic reading in March 2024 to a current index of 5.7 (lower is better on the metric cited), and that the city is pursuing removal from 90‑day state inspection toward a longer inspection cycle. The manager credited a prior commission appropriation that provided funds to correct deficiencies in the treatment plant.

Streets and drainage: Public works staff reported ongoing pothole and storm‑drain repairs and said a contractor selection for Northside resurfacing was expected by April 17. They described repairs to several storm inlets that had been broken for years.

Splash pad and recreation: Staff said a feasibility study for a splash pad is nearly complete, and initial cost estimates put the project roughly within the budgeted amount (manager cited a planning estimate near $150,000). Staff said they will return with a more detailed update when feasibility work finishes.

Affordable housing and home repairs: Staff reported significant progress on a Department of Commerce‑funded affordable housing/home‑repair grant. One household had closed using a $20,000 assistance award; staff said about 12 homes are expected to receive repairs by June pending permitting.

Commissioners asked for electronic copies of the water‑quality and program reports for public transparency and outreach; staff said they would distribute those documents.