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Council amends Mahaffey resolution to prioritize Florida Orchestra while transitioning management
Summary
Council approved funding and a short‑term operational approach for the Mahaffey theater, and members pressed administration to include language prioritizing a future agreement with the Florida Orchestra; staff said short‑term contracts under one year will be delegated but long‑term agreements will return to council.
Council discussed a resolution (item F2) that allocates funds and authorizes the city to assume short‑term management tasks for the Mahaffey theater following an early termination of the prior management contract. Councilmember Driscoll and others urged the administration to include language that recognizes the Florida Orchestra as a priority tenant and to work toward a direct agreement with the Orchestra to provide scheduling certainty.
City staff explained the resolution will allow assignment or takeover of existing dates for the remainder of the season and that the city intends to reissue an RFP for long‑term management. The administration and legal said they plan to bring a subsequent resolution to council to delegate authority to the mayor or his designee to execute leases and licenses under one year; any leases longer than one year would be returned to council for approval. Staff and the interim Mahaffey team confirmed they are meeting with the Orchestra and intend to preserve programming dates where possible.
Council approved the amended resolution unanimously, with direction to administration to prioritize discussions with the Florida Orchestra and to return with a delegation/resolution for contract authority and any long‑term agreements.
Next steps: administration to return in a June meeting with proposed delegation for short‑term leases/licenses under one year and to continue negotiations with the Florida Orchestra on a longer‑term arrangement.
