Palatka previews new public works facility, internship program; city plans AV upgrade for meetings

Palatka—At its May 14 meeting the Palatka City Commission received a progress update on the public works facility nearing substantial completion, learned details of the summer internship program, and approved an audiovisual systems upgrade to centralize meeting controls.

Public Works Director Mr. Verakio showed photographs of the new 5,000-square-foot facility, describing new locker rooms, showers, a larger break room, conference space for up to the full crew, storage improvements and an automated truck lift that staff said will improve safety and workflow. The project will replace a former 1,460-square-foot building and is expected to reach substantial completion next week; a bid for a pole barn to protect 18 trucks was mentioned as a follow-up bid item.

Separately, staff described the summer internship program running June 8July 24, 2026, with applications accepted online and a budget allocation for up to 17 interns. Commissioners praised the program as a workforce pipeline; city staff noted past interns have been hired into permanent roles.

The commission also approved Resolution 2026-R82 to establish a dedicated audiovisual control center and move meeting production to the OBS Studio platform. Staff said centralizing AV and moving to OBS would reduce routine technical problems, support high-quality streaming, and permit a single operator to run meetings. Preliminary cost estimates ranged in the tens of thousands of dollars; staff reported funds were available in the current budget to proceed.

Speakers quoted (selected)

"We're very proud of that. It's going to change the way we do things," Public Works Director Mr. Verakio said of the new facility.

"OBS will allow us to navigate in a more professional manner and eliminate many technical issues," an AV staff member told the commission.

Next steps

Staff will finalize punch-list items and schedule ceremonial/public tours when the public works facility reaches substantial completion. HR will proceed with intern recruitment and orientation paperwork. IT and public works will move forward with implementation planning for the AV upgrade and return with a detailed scope and timeline as work proceeds.