The City Commission approved on first reading an ordinance authorizing an interim city manager to execute a lease with South Florida School of Excellence for Suite 335 at 780 Fisherman Street, the municipal complex.

Why it matters: The school previously occupied third-floor space and proposed returning to Suite 335 for the upcoming 2025–26 school year. The lease is estimated to generate about $60,000 in fiscal 2026 revenue and will require coordination on building security and student movement because the commission chambers and municipal offices are in the same building.

Key points
- The lease term discussed runs August 2025 through July 2027. First reading passed 5–0.
- The interim city manager said she had asked the school principal to name a designated staff person who will be stationed near the elevator on the third floor to ensure students do not roam public hallways; the principal agreed.
- The manager and building maintenance staff will ensure doors to restricted spaces are secured and that emergency egress is preserved.

Next steps
- The lease will return for second reading and final passage at the next meeting in August; staff will prepare a final lease document and security plan in coordination with building maintenance.

Ending
- The first-reading vote was unanimous; commissioners said they wanted the building access plan in place before the lease takes effect for the school year.