By BEN GRAFTON
As the first order of business at the Freeport City Council meeting of June 10, City Planner Latilda Hughes-Neel presented a recommendation of the City Planning Board for approval of a development order submitted by Freeport Landing, LLC for Lafayette Creek Landing Phase 1. The development is for of 40 single family home sites on the east side of Lafayette Creek with access from U.S. 331. Since it is anticipated that the owners will eventually ask for road maintenance by the city, the city’s engineer, Preble-Rish, will have to approve road construction. The Council approved the request for the development order.
Hughes-Neel advised the Council that a special events application has been received from Bob Forte Motors for a temporary car sale from June 21 – 28 at 16809 U.S. 331 S. Traffic control will be provided at the entrance. No alcohol will be allowed. Portalets will be provided. The Council approved the application.
Fire Chief Chad Harrell presented the summary fire department report for May. The department responded to 42 calls, 26 of which were medical. Events included two trees down in the storm, completion of 74 firefighter training hours and maintenance on 144 fire hydrants.
Engineer Cliff Knauer of Preble-Rish reported to the Council that the cost of a video camera inspection to locate an obstruction in the water line on Bay Loop Road will be $0.90 per foot. As much as 1,200 feet of pipe may be inspected. It will be necessary to cut a 3 – 4 inch hole in the line to insert the camera. The hole will be resealed with stainless steel wraps. after the camera is removed. The line will be cut where the obstruction is found, the obstruction removed and the line reassembled. The Council approved the procedure.
Mayor Russ Barley reported that 14 applications were received for the open City Clerk job. No satisfactory candidate was found. Re-advertisement for the job was approved for a four-week period. The search area will be expanded to include Pensacola.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Brannon passed out forms to Council members, each of whom was asked to identify what they believed were the two top legislative priorities for the city. Identification of the top priorities will be sent on to the Northwest Florida League of Cities and merged with information from other cities. Top priorities will be presented to legislators.
The Town Planters are preparing for a July 4 cookout and fund raiser at the city swimming pool.