GREEN COVE SPRINGS – City council members reviewed city manager Steve Kennedy’s performance in a 45-minute meeting and gave him plaudits following his first year.

Kennedy was scored in 10 categories such as policy execution, supervision, fiscal management and relations with the elected body. His average score was 4.6 out of five.

Council members Mitch Timberlake and Pam Lewis gave Kennedy full marks in every category. Council member Van Royal’s averages totaled 4.9 and Connie Butler’s reached 4.3. Mayor Steven Kelley scores led to a 3.8 average.

Timberlake said he was impressed by Kennedy’s first year. He approved of Kennedy’s approach of staffing, data gathering and not making knee-jerk reactions.

“It’s been a very good first year. I’ve seen an improvement in employee morale,” Timberlake said. The honeymoon’s over and you know we’re down to the execution phase (now).”

Lewis said the job was a heavy lift because Green Cove manages almost every service a city of a similar size can provide except a fire department.

“It’s been a lot to learn,” Lewis said.

Kelley said Kennedy’s first year was phenomenal and his scores reflected that.

“Doing many of these evaluations, I don’t give out many fives even if I think you navigated this past year as well someone stepping into this role at this time can do…” Kelley said. “I do think going forward you’ll be able to operate more efficiently and effectively with the first year behind you. I hear nothing but great things from staff and I think we’ll do great things going forward.”

Kennedy replaced long-time city manager Danielle Judd Oct. 1 of last year. He was city manager of Americus, Georgia, for two years and city manager of Kennesaw, Georgia, for a decade. He had about 25 years of experience in finance and administration in other Georgia municipalities prior to his city manager positions.

At the 90-minute general meeting, council members signaled interest in purchasing a property at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Spring Street called “The Rivers House.” The council liked the house because of its history and short distance from Spring Park.

Council members with a unanimous vote tasked staff with sending the seller a first right of refusal document, which would allow the city 30 or 45 days to match or exceed another bid. Royal, a realtor, motioned to ask for 45 days, but accept 30 days if necessary.

“We’ve got to have a little bit of time,” Royal said.

City code requires the city to get an appraisal of the property and the council members needed a supermajority, four votes, to purchase at a price higher than the appraisal, city attorney L.J. Arnold said.

Arnold said the seller seemed amicable to signing a first right of refusal. Arnold said the city should expect to pay more than the appraisal.

Timberlake said staff needed to continue conversations with the seller and gauge his flexibility. He said he saw both sides of the issue.

“I am concerned we may not have the money in next year’s budget,” Timberlake said. “The other side of it is, there are citizens that say it’s something we should do. I’m not convinced of that myself right now, but we need to be cognizant of that. I’d like to see us have the opportunity to move forward.”