City of Freeport discusses partnership with Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program [PREMIUM]

Story by STACY MARTIN

Photo by NORMA REDIKER

NOTE: This is Part Two of the Freeport Council meeting held on July 14.  

On Tuesday, July 14, the city of Freeport held its regular council meeting.  The meeting began with an introduction of county candidates Sandra Carter, who is running for Walton County Property Appraiser, and Teddy Stewart, who is running for County Commissioner District Three.  

Next on the agenda was a water bill adjustment request. The resident was not at the meeting in person but submitted a letter to the council stating that a busted water hose caused the water leak on their property as they were out of town. With an influx of water bill waiver requests, the council made a motion to table the request until the next meeting with the hopes that future policy on waivers will be incorporated.  

The council then moved to approve the consent agenda and the regular agenda with additions to the meeting.

From the Parks and Projects department, an update was presented to the council on bathroom renovations at Casey Park.  Another update regarded the removal of grass from the infield. The council asked about a quote for a shade system at the kid’s park area in Freeport Sports Complex.  The quote is from Top Line Recreation in the amount of $13,464.49. 

The council voted to approve the quote and proceed with purchasing the shade coverings.  

The Billing Department discussed the FlexNet Metering for water services. The new style of metering will allow for more consistent readings as well as a quicker notice on any water leaks.  The FlexNet will also enable the readings to be conducted in office as opposed to on properties.  

Next from billing was a 90 days-past due to customer update.  Billing reported 34 residents with 90 days past due notices also received phone calls. Of those calls, five people paid in full, and six people made billing payment plans. Billing stated that they could not make contact with 11 residents due to no answer or disconnected phone line. The council voted to resume late fees in August with the potential for disconnects. Inserts will go out in all monthly statements as well as door notices for the eleven who were not contacted by phone.  

From the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program (CBEP), Brian Underwood gave the council a presentation on the CEP and the Coastal Habitat Presentation Grant.  An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it and a free connection to the open sea. Currently, the CBEP has an inter-local agreement with Okaloosa, Holmes, Walton, and Washington counties.  According to the presentation, the mission of the CBEP is to implement programs and initiatives for the protection and stewardship of natural resources and water quality, and to strengthen community resiliency and environmental education to maintain a vibrant economy and high quality of life around the bay.  

The CBEP wants to partner with the city of Freeport to obtain a Habitat Conservation Planning grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.  Planning Director Latilda Hughes-Neel also spoke to the council, reminding them of the city’s initiative to help residents living along the bay with septic tanks transition to city water in attempts to clean up the quality of the bay from the water.  The request was for the approval of the partnership to go forward with the grant process. The council approved the request unanimously, with Councilmember Elizabeth Brannon inquiring about the city applying for other environmentally based grants that have been approved but not awarded. Hughes-Neel stated that she would conduct a follow-up about those grants.  

Request for waiver of the special event permit fee for blood-drive on July 16, at Hammock Bay.  The One Blood Drive also conducts COVID-19 testing and antibody testing on site.  The council voted in favor of the waiver.  

The last item from Hughes-Neel gave the council information on the House Bill 1193-De-regulation of Food Trucks.  Hughes-Neel informed the council that information is provided for them in their agenda packets. Under this bill, a municipality, county, or other local government will not be allowed to require a separate license, registration, or permit for food trucks. 

All licenses and regulations of food/mobile trucks will now be preempted by the state. The city is still able to dictate where the food trucks can set up. Currently, they are permitted on private property zoned commercial or industrial as long as that is not along the 331 Corridor. There will be no fee or application taken up by the city.  

From the legal department, city attorney Clay Adkinson requested a special executive session at 5:30 p.m. prior to the next council meeting, a request the council approved. 

The next item was a request to purchase property, 15197 Business Highway 331, (AKA Water Tower Rd.). The property is a fenced, half-acre parcel next to the property already owned by the city.  The owner is asking $41,000 plus closing costs.  Because the value is under $100,000, the city is by law to waive the required public appraisals. The requested motion was to approve the mayor to enter into a contract to purchase the property and for a waived appraisal. The council voted in favor of the request. 

An all-stop request was made at North Street and Shipyard Rd. intersection and would be eligible for an all-stop.  The proposal would be to allow Parks Director Charlie Simmons to set up and prep for and all-stop with signage and markings.  The signage will be covered and a 30-day notice will go up at the location of all-stop. After the 30 days, the signs will be uncovered and will implement the new traffic stops. Council voted in favor of the request unanimously.  

The last item from legal discussed the water and sewer franchise with the county. The current 30-year agreement comes to an end on August 2. The request is to approve the mayor to write a letter to enter into another 30-year water and sewer franchise agreement with the county. The council voted in favor of the renewal.  

From the Engineering Department, Alex Rouchaleau gave an update on the South Jackson Forcemain Upgrade. In the agenda package, the upgrade includes installing a six-inch forcemain, and an eight-inch bore along South Jackson to replace the existing undersized forcemain. The upgrade request is for $49,824.00 and will allow for a contract extension of 30 days. The funds would be coming from impact fees. Council voted in favor of the request. The council also approved a request to allow the mayor to execute the FDEP application to permit the project.

Under Old Business, the mayor discussed the selection of a city clerk who has finished the paperwork and drug testing and is hoping to start with the next week.  

Another item was a request to allow the Walton County Misses and the Freeport Queens to come in for a photo op with the council.  Mayor Russ Barley stated that there are about 15 of them who will stand in front of the council seating for a photo.  The council instructed the mayor to approve the request; proceeding, however, with extreme caution and restricting the number of parents allowed in the picture.  

From the New Business, Councilmember Amanda Green stated that she would like to participate in a mask initiative. This project would help to provide masks for anyone who needs one and place signs up with information on receiving the masks. The council voted to allow Simmons to reach out and acquire masks for this project.  

The next item was in reference to a change in the water system policy. The council discussed various options that are implemented in other local cites. The council instructed staff to come up with some suggestions on how to handle waiver requests and policies.  

The last item from Councilmember Green was a request from Crossroads construction.  Hughes-Neel gave an update that there is some ground-field testing on the site, which was a gas station previously.  Also FDOT is talking to them about the widening. Currently, they are upgrading the site’s development order and various changes taking place.

The next Freeport council meeting will be held on Thursday, July 23, at 6:30 p.m. in city hall council chambers.