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Palatka commission roundup: staffing moves, HR policies, Blue Crab contract and land-use votes
Summary
At its Feb. 13 meeting, the Palatka City Commission approved new HR policies, confirmed interim pay changes, approved staff terms for the Blue Crab Festival contract, advanced an accessory dwelling unit ordinance on first reading and made other personnel and consent decisions.
The Palatka City Commission on Feb. 13 approved a set of personnel policies, confirmed pay adjustments for the interim city manager, accepted staff-recommended contract terms for the Blue Crab Festival promoter and advanced an accessory dwelling unit ordinance on first reading.
The commission voted to adopt three new personnel policies covering comp time for exempt employees, flexible/compressed work schedules and a remote-work policy. The measures were presented by city staff as a framework to allow departmental supervisors to authorize limited flex arrangements and give exempt employees compensatory time options. Commissioners discussed exempt vs. nonexempt rules, union impacts and a six-month assessment period for individual arrangements.
Commissioners also approved a retroactive salary adjustment for Interim City Manager (and finance director) Ms. Carty to reflect an increase from the previously approved 20 supplemental hours biweekly to 30 supplemental hours biweekly, with the adjustment applied retroactive to December 2024.
On the Blue Crab Festival, the commission approved staff-recommended contract responses to the event promoter (RQ Music) and authorized staff to proceed with the contract using those terms. Commissioners noted the promoter had already received a $50,000 payment but that a signed contract remained outstanding; the vote included discussion of financial exposure and a direction to secure a signed contract quickly or develop alternatives if the promoter does not sign.
The commission advanced an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance on first reading, adopting standards drawn from a model ordinance and noting that statewide legislation on ADUs is likely; staff said the draft includes limitations and affordability provisions. A number of other land-use public-hearing items were continued to a future meeting because applicants or agent representatives were not present to answer questions.
Other formal actions included release-of-lien items processed as a consent cleanup (items C–T on the agenda) and the creation of a mayor pro tem position (Commissioner Campbell named for a one‑year term). A separate personnel announcement named Redmond Jones II as the chosen city manager candidate; staff will begin contract negotiations with a planned start date around March 1.
Votes at a glance - Flex/remote/comp-time policies: adopted (motion and second; “all in favor” recorded). - Interim city manager pay adjustment (increase to reflect 30 supplemental hours biweekly, retro to December): approved (motion and second; “all in favor” recorded). - Release of liens (consent items C–T): approved (motion and second; “all in favor” recorded). - Blue Crab Festival contract (staff responses accepted to send to promoter): approved (motion and second; motion carried; one recorded “nay” on the floor). - Accessory dwelling unit ordinance: advanced on first reading (motion and second; “all in favor” recorded). - Mayor pro tem appointment (Commissioner Campbell): approved (motion and second; “all in favor” recorded).
The commission directed staff to seek a signed Blue Crab Festival agreement within a short time frame and to develop contingency plans if the promoter does not finalize a contract. Staff also will continue to schedule a Jenkins Community Center workshop for mid‑March and to proceed with lighting and park work updates described in the manager’s report.
