Story and photo by STACY MARTIN
On Thursday, June 23, the city of Freeport held it’s regular city council meeting. Starting the meeting was the State of the City Address by Mayor Russ Barley. Barley informed attendees that the state of the city is strong. Items highlighted in the report stated nine new businesses added to the city, creating 31 new jobs for residents. Freeport received a growth increase of 1,000 people in the past year, creating a total of 8,277 people living with in the city limits. The council is continuing a five-year strategic plan for ranking and implementing projects. The city also created a temporary project manager to oversee and report on the projects. The past year, the city of Freeport also added lobbyists from Liberty Partners to meet with legislators in Tallahassee on behalf of Freeport in order to help secure project funding. The city also changed its charter to implement a city manager type governance.
Many projects were listed in the State of the City Address, which included projects from the installation of new meters for the water department, new parks and recreational developments, to utility improvements. In the address, Barley stated that “Our work is far from done, but I am ever encouraged by the innovation and exciting things happening in Freeport every day.”
The next item addressed on the agenda was a resident’s water bill issue. The resident is requesting a hardship waiver or adjustment on his water bill due to an undetected leak. The council voted in favor of a 50% bill reduction on the tenant’s July and August bills.
The council then voted to approve the consent agenda and the regular agenda with additions.
Under staff reports, Parks Director Charlie Simmons gave an update on city and park projects. Simmons stated the council received further information regarding the fuel tanks protocol for installation and management. Simmons also informed them the pool and splash pad is up and operating, with only one time the pool reached capacity and had to turn visitors away. Simmons also reminded the council the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the concession stand facility and the recreational trails, will be held on Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m.
Under the finance department, Director Sara Bowers requested approval for the budget amendment. The amendment makes a correction to the overages in the park’s budget and also includes the city’s fuel tanks. The council voted in favor of the request. The next item was the Wastewater Treatment Plant Reconstruction-Expansion Project. Bowers requested the use of the city’s sewer impact fees to go towards the project until the city is reimbursed. The council voted in favor of the project.
The billing department presented a few items to the council. The first item was the past due customer letter update from June 9 meeting.
The next item was the bad debt write-offs. Billing stated that there is a total of 963, dating back to 2005. The council voted to write off the remaining bad debts as listed. The last item was a meter upgrade request form. The council voted to temporarily use the form until billing can come back with the form and policy at the next council meeting.
Under the planning department, Director Latilda Hughes-Neel presented the Large Scale Amendment (LSA) at Bluffs at Lafayette Creek and the Re-Zoning (RZ) Bluffs at Lafayette Creek. The project is located on the east side of U.S. 331 North. Hughes-Neel informed the council that the planning board has recommended approval of the project.
The project would to be a mixed-use development, with multi-family residences, potential apartments, or townhomes. There would be service road connections, as well as a boulevard entrance with a traffic light. The council heard from JP Engineering and from a representative from Eglin Air force Base. The representative from Eglin stated that their recommendation would not be in favor of the project due to the flight path. The council approved the requested motion to hold first readings and advertise for second readings and public hearing and adoption for both the LSA and RZ requests and a motion to direct staff to transmit the information to the DEO for filing.
Next item was an update on the COVID-19 Certification Form for Special Events, etc. The council voted in favor of the additions made to applications for special permits.
The last item addressed from planning was a Request to hold Citizen Board Meetings with social distancing planning and development review boards meetings and recreation board meetings and city facilities planning committee inside the council chambers. The council voted in favor of the request.
The engineering department addressed the council with a project update of the East Bay Loop water main construction project. This project is scheduled to begin in the next two weeks.
Under old business, Mayor Barley addressed the council with an update on the city manager position.
The council voted to hire Andrew Hyatt, who ultimately declined the city’s job offer. Barley stated to the council that Parks Director Charlie Simmons, who has been the city’s project manager as well as park director, would be an asset to the city as an interim city manager. In order to offer the position to Simmons, the council would have to vote 5-0 to repeal the city’s ordinance on the city manager position. A repeal would also require a first and second reading and a public hearing then adoption. A motion was made by Council member Eddie Farris and seconded by Council member Mark Martin. In the discussion, Council member Amanda Green stated the although she agrees with Simmons’ good work ethic and dedication to the city, the repeal would not solve anything long term. Green indicated she would not vote in favor of the motion. After discussion, both the motion and second were withdrawn, and the council agreed to revisit the topic at the next city council meeting.
The next item discussed was the city clerk position. The council voted to hold an interview with three selected applicants to be held on July 7 at 6 p.m.
Under new business, Barley spoke to the council regarding the city’s digital sign at SR-20 in front of City Hall. The council voted to move forward with formal bids to receive the new updated sign.
Council member Elizabeth Brannon made a motion to appoint James Tyler Clark, owner of Freeport Auto Parts, to the planning board, The council voted in favor of the request.
Council member Green spoke on two topics. The first was to set a workshop to discuss blight within the city. The council voted to hold a workshop on August 25 at 5:30 p.m. The next item was how to surplus outdated iPads. The legal department will look into the process of clearing all data from iPads if possible and will give an update to the city.
The next city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 14, at 9 a.m.