One notable issues discussed was brought forward by Cheryl Roach, a resident of Palatka, who raised concerns during the public comment segment about the lack of maintenance for 17 gas lights in the South Historic District. Roach explained that these lights have been dim for years, only illuminated in December through neighborhood donations, and urged the board to allocate funds from the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to maintain them year-round. She estimated a balance of around $100,000 in TIF funds, emphasizing the historical and aesthetic importance of the lights to the neighborhood. A commissioner responded by acknowledging the need to review historical funding mechanisms and explore the use of TIF funds for this purpose. They highlighted the potential establishment of an “adopt-a-light” program for residents to assist with maintenance and stressed the necessity of further research into associated costs.

Attention then turned to the rental of the Directional Art Center, where the expired contract and interest from multiple private entities sparked a debate on lease transparency and fairness. The board emphasized the need to put the lease out for bid. Concerns were raised about the River City Players’ use of the facility without financial contribution, and the board agreed on the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of all city leases to establish a consistent policy. Questions about sub-leasing arrangements and liability issues were also raised, with a call to workshop these topics to address outstanding concerns and ensure public facilities are not misused.

The hiring of a new grants administrator or project manager was another focal point of the meeting. The position is important for managing a backlog of approximately 61 projects under the CRA, but the hiring process sparked debate over budget constraints and candidate qualifications. While the position was initially budgeted at $55,000, the recommended candidate’s salary was $60,000. The agency was urged to consider extending the budget to accommodate this, given the candidate’s project management and grant writing experience. However, concerns were raised about the lack of specific economic development experience and the necessity for the candidate to align with the CRA’s mandates.

Differing opinions emerged about the transparency and inclusiveness of the hiring process. Some participants expressed dissatisfaction about not being informed of the candidates until the meeting, while others emphasized the importance of public input on additional funding. A commissioner suggested a performance-based salary increase, with an additional $5,000 contingent upon satisfactory performance after a 90-day probationary period. The motion to proceed with this structure was passed with a vote of 5 to 1.

Financial reports for October showed no recorded revenues due to pending final certification from the county, with expenditures of $13,780 in the downtown district and $8,000 in the north historic district. Rick Paul from the Small Business Development Center provided updates on community events, emphasizing support for small businesses and announcing upcoming workshops on franchising and business development strategies. These efforts aim to bolster the local economy and foster networking with other rural communities in Florida.