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Palatka commission adopts Jenkins Center lease resolution after debate over city manager authority
Summary
The Palatka City Commission voted to adopt Resolution 2025-R-44 to finalize a lease at the Jenkins Center for Episcopalian Children Services amid debate about whether the city manager had authority to execute the agreement without prior commission approval.
The Palatka City Commission on March 27 voted to adopt Resolution 2025-R-44 to formalize a lease allowing Episcopalian Children Services to occupy office and meeting space at the Jenkins Center.
The vote followed an extended discussion about whether the lease had already been executed by the city manager and whether that execution required prior commission approval. Several commissioners asked for clarity about the authority of the city manager to enter into leases and asked staff to report back with clearer written procedures for future facility leases.
Commissioner [not specified] moved to adopt Resolution 2025-R-44; a second was made and the resolution was approved by roll call. During debate, Commissioner Campbell said the direction given in a prior workshop authorized day-to-day operations to the city manager and department heads, and that the intent had been to allow the city manager to manage routine contracts.
City Manager William Palatka (as introduced in the meeting) and staff said an executed lease existed and that the item was brought to the commission for direction and formal approval. City attorney (referred to in the meeting as Ms. West) advised commissioners that, absent a conflict requiring recusal, commissioners must vote on the item.
Commissioners who raised concerns asked staff to prepare a clearer policy or standard operating procedure so future agreements would follow a consistent process. Commissioner Borom and others emphasized the need for transparency when the city manager negotiates or signs contracts that could affect commission oversight.
The commission also discussed the specific lease terms that had been negotiated with the tenant. Staff said the agreement sets a discounted community rate for nonprofit services, and that the executed lease included specific dates for occupancy tied to construction and renovation timelines at the Jenkins Center. Commissioners noted the lease was intended to keep services in Palatka and to provide space for a nonprofit that had limited alternatives.
The commission took no additional action on rescinding the lease; instead it adopted the resolution to regularize the lease on the public record and directed staff to return with recommended policy language clarifying roles and approval thresholds for future facility leases.
Looking ahead, staff said they would prepare a proposed policy outlining (1) when commission approval is required for leases, (2) when the city manager may sign binding, day-to-day agreements, and (3) a standard form for discounted community leases to promote consistent treatment of nonprofits.
The vote to adopt Resolution 2025-R-44 concluded the Jenkins Center agenda item but left open the follow-up work on formalizing the lease-approval process for future agreements.
