GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Food Truck Fridays will return to Spring Park after organizer Michael Kerekes assured the new City Council during Tuesday night’s meeting the monthly event will be as good, if not better, than gatherings that often attracted as many as 5,000 people for the past seven years. 

Food Truck Fridays ended ahead of the April 3 appearance when a resident complained the nonprofit running the event, led by then councilman Ed Gaw and former councilman Van Royal, may have violated organizational structure since the city partially sponsored the event for $4,500 a month and by waiving the monthly $500 permit fee. 

On April 14, Tom Centracchio defeated Gaw for Seat 1 on the City Council. Centracchio was sworn in to his position on the council on Tuesday, while Matt Johnson was sworn in to repeat as the representative for Seat 2. 

Without Gaw, Food Truck Friday was canceled for May and June, but Kerekes delivered a proposal to revive one of the city’s most popular events, and it was enthusiastically welcomed. 

“This will continue to be great food, great music and a great location benefiting the city,” he said. 

Food Truck Fridays are scheduled for the first Friday of each month from 5-9:30 p.m. from March through November. 

The City will continue to pay $4,500 each month to offset the costs, which include  paying off-duty Green Cove Springs Police Department officers, insurance, live music, sound equipment, signage, marketing and support staff. Kerekes said costs are estimated to be $9,150 a month. 

The City also waived the $500 monthly permit fees. 

Council member Glee Glisson said she’d like to see whoever rents Spring Park in the future pay rental fees. Kerekes agreed. He also said he hopes to find additional sponsorship to eventually reduce Green Cove Springs’ financial responsibilities in 2027. 

The next Spring Park Friday is scheduled for July 3, and the first live band will be Firewater Tent Revival, Kerekes said. 

City staff and Kerekes have worked through the details for weeks, said City Executive Assistant/City Event Coordinator Kimberly Thomas. 

She told the council staff supported Kerekes’ proposal. There was no pushback from the council, and it was eagerly approved, 5-0. 

“You've been phenomenal to work with,” Kerekes said. “I appreciate the fact that all of you are unanimously supportive of this awesome event. I hope to see all of you out there. Encourage all of your constituents and the community to come join us.” 

In other business: 

• With Tom Centracchio sworn in to his first term for Seat 1 and Matt Johnson to return to represent Seat 2, the City Council then voted 5-0 to make Darren Stutts the new Mayor and Cheri Starnes the Vice-Mayor for the next year. 

• Council received the results of a third-party audit from Purvis, Gray and Company, which revealed its financial position improved compared to 2024, but it still lacked a suggested “two-month cushion” of operating funds. In Green Cove Springs’ case, that would amount to $1.8 million, according to Ron Whitesides.

• Council approved a zoning amendment for Hickory Grove Baptist Church which will allow it to expand its school. 

The City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at City Hall, 321 Walnut St., at 6 p.m.