Palatka commissioners uphold termination of W‑4 airport lease, order uses verified

The City of Palatka City Commission voted July 24 to leave intact a termination notice that requires the tenant at the airport’s W‑4 terminal to vacate by July 31 while staff verifies whether the tenant’s stated activities qualify as aeronautical use under Federal Aviation Administration rules. The motion to rescind the termination and grant a 60–90 day extension failed on a roll call vote.

City planning consultant and tenant representative Charlie Douglas had asked the commission to finalize a lease renewal or, at minimum, rescind the termination letter and grant a 90‑day extension so his client, Jeff Nations, could resolve compliance questions. “At this stage, we believe we have addressed all of your questions,” Douglas told the commission, and he said Nations had received “a termination of lease letter mandating his departure by July 31.”

Why it matters: the commission’s action preserves the city’s termination timeline while staff and the airport manager confirm whether the W‑4 tenant’s operations fit FAA definitions of aeronautical use — a requirement the city’s consultant flagged as central to whether a lease can be issued.

Commission discussion and staff position

City staff told the commission they had received additional information on the tenant’s use but had not yet been able to verify aeronautical operations or FAA compliance. The city manager said staff “cannot, at the moment, issue the lease until we can verify the usage.” Commissioners pressed for direct FAA involvement: one urged staff to “contact the FAA directly on this matter” to get a definitive determination.

Several commissioners said the termination notice, issued after concerns about non‑aeronautical uses, was meant to prompt fact‑finding and should not be reversed without clear verification. Commissioner Jones said the cease‑and‑desist was intended “to get the answers to those questions” and recommended that the city not reverse it while staff completes verification.

Vote and immediate effects

A motion by Commissioner Campbell to rescind the termination letter and permit a 90‑day extension was seconded and put to a roll call vote. The record shows Commissioner Campbell and Mayor Carrera voted yes; Commissioners Davis, Jones and Borham voted no. The mayor summarized: “Motion failed. So the cease and desist letter that takes effect July 31, that’s in place.”

Next steps

City staff and the airport manager said they would continue fact‑finding, including confirming FAA definitions and the tenant’s documentation, and pursue a transparent path forward. The commission also discussed the city’s option of using a competitive bid or RFP for airport space to avoid potential legal challenges and to ensure transparency if multiple parties seek the same facility.

Ending

The commission’s vote leaves the termination in effect while staff completes verification; the city has not authorized a new lease for W‑4 pending those checks and any FAA guidance. The action preserves the city’s stated removal date of July 31 and directs staff to return with verified information and options for the commission to consider.