DFS City Council discusses forgiving Main Street DFS- $15,248 owed balance [PREMIUM]

CITY MANAGER Mell Smigielski speaking at the regular DeFuniak Springs Council Meeting on Feb. 10, 2020.

Story and photo by JENNA BAILEY

On Feb. 10, 2020, the DeFuniak Springs (DFS) City Council met for a regular meeting at 6 p.m. at the Walton County Courthouse. 

Consent Agenda — The consent agenda was approved as written. Regular Agenda  — The regular agenda was approved with two additions. 

Administration — First for administration, City Manager Mell Smigielski requested council approval to forgive the balance that DeFuniak Springs Main Street owes in the amount of $15,248.00 and in exchange accept ownership of the downtown Christmas decorations. Main Street currently owes the city of DeFuniak Springs $15,248.00 of an original temporary loan amount of $30,248.00 for the purpose of paying off a contract for downtown Christmas Decorations. 

The total cost of the inventory was $34,872 with a total contract price of $60,248.00. As Main Street works towards regrouping, the Main Street Board of Directors has voted to ask the DeFuniak Springs City Council to forgive the remaining $15,248 it owes to the city in exchange for taking ownership of the aforementioned inventory. The inventory will remain in storage with Hilltop until the Christmas season, at which time the city will take physical ownership. The city will pursue any potential refund of future services from Hilltop stated in the contract.  A motion carried to table this item and take it back up at the March 23, 2020 regular city council meeting. 

Second for administration, Smigielski requested a motion to approve the city manager to execute the renewal and 2020 loan agreement with the National Museum of the United States Air Force for the T-33 Static Display. The city has had this static display since 1964 and has had an agreement for this display since 1964. This agreement requires no monetary payment, but DFS will cover the aircraft on the city’s blanket insurance policy. The motion carried to approve this request. 

Executive Requests — In executive requests, Council Member Robert McKnight provided an update on recent DFS City Charter Review meetings. A report on the Feb. 7, 2020 Charter Review meeting will be featured in the February 19 issue of the DeFuniak Springs-Herald Beach Breeze. The next Charter Review meeting will take place on February 19, 2020 at DFS City Hall from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Public Works — For public works, Public Works Director Craig Drake requested a motion to approve the low bidder, RBM Contracting, LLC for the Live Oak Wastewater Improvements project in the amount of $690,937.52. The motion carried to approve the request.  

Planning — For planning, Planning Director Kelly Schultz requested a motion to approve the revised Temporary Use Permit for New Wave Auto to hold their Tent Sale from Feb. 20 – March 1, 2020 at 1045 U.S. 331 South with the condition that council waves the 30-day submission requirement as the applicant has addressed the concerns that the city council had with the first submission. A motion carried to deny the request.

The next regular DeFuniak Springs City Council meeting will take place on Feb. 24, 2020 at 6 p.m. at the Walton County Courthouse.