By BEN GRAFTON
At the Freeport City Council meeting of Dec. 9, City Clerk Gary Mattison reported that he would furnish the Council a rough draft of revised policies, summaries of the check register and monthly statements of budget expenditures by department.
Mattison also reported that about 25 applications have been received for the park director position. He expects to complete telephone interviews by the end of the week and will then do background checks on the three top candidates. A special meeting will be scheduled for Dec. 23 to deal with this matter.
City Planner Latilda Hughes-Neel reported that a complaint has been received by the Hammock Bay Homeowners Association about a noisy bird at one of the homes. City Attorney Clayton Adkinson told the Council that a noise ordinance to control this type of problem is almost impossible to enforce. No further action was taken by the Council.
The Council approved appointments of Ron Brannon, Mark Martin and Jim Murray to be Freeport Planning Board members.
The Council approved issuing a resolution in support of a dental school in DeFuniak Springs and a proclamation for Military Spouses Day.
Fire Captain Tom Palmer reported that the department answered 29 calls in November including 18 medical, one motor vehicle accident and two outside fires. He also reported there were three Tuesday night training sessions for career and volunteer firefighters.
Palmer also reported that on Nov. 13, 14 and 15 each fire department crew, together with Walton County Fire & Rescue, was invited to do a walk through of Gulf Stream Shipbuilding to familiarize them with the facility in case of an incident on the new vessel being built there.
Ronnie Cleveland, speaking for Live Oak Landing addressed the Council about granting the developer relief from sewage fees that would become due if plans to expand the facility are implemented.
Cliff Knauer of Preble-Rish advised the Council that he had reviewed the 2009 agreement between Live Oak Landing and the city and found it to be a very good agreement that itemizes the terms for each party.
Adkinson expressed concern about the overall impact that would accompany reduction in impact fees for just one developer.
Revised rental fees for users of the Freeport Regional Sports Complex were discussed. Councilwoman Jennifer Laird advised the Council that the new fee schedule proposes significant reductions for non-profit organizations, but no changes for commercial users. Reductions were said to pass on the lower electricity demand rates now paid by the city to Sports Complex users. This action has no budget impact. Councilwoman Kasey Cuchens reported that inspection reveals that required cleanup by users is not being done and she asked for higher cleanup deposits, thorough inspection of facilities after use to ensure cleanup is done and deposit forfeiture if cleanup is not adequately done. The Council approved a motion to accept the new fee schedule.
A discussion of the condition of the city’s Community Center took place. Council members have looked at the center and report roof, floors and paint are in poor condition. Mayor Russ Barley asked the Council to consider extending the north wall to add about 1,200 square feet to the building, to install a new metal roof, to change the front entrance hallway to add to the utility of the building and to do a needed upgrade of electrical and mechanical equipment. A “ball park” estimate to do the work is about $120,000. Councilwoman Janice McLean’s motion to go out for bids was approved by the Council.
Barley asked the Council to look into a proposal to provide an outside pavilion and stage behind City Hall. He has received an estimate from developer Randy Wise that this project would cost about $40,000. He asked Council approval to move forward and see if sources could be found to cover material costs. The Council approved his request to look further into this proposal.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Brannon who is also president of the Northwest Florida League of Cities (NWFLC) expressed pleasure at seeing other Council members at a recent NWFLC meeting. She reported that a package with a calendar of coming events would be distributed and that a training session of members for presenting issues to legislators was forthcoming. A survey to be done in the next few weeks will identify subjects to be presented.
The Council approved a request for Councilman Eddie Farris to serve on the board of the Okaloosa Walton Council on Aging.
Bob McDonald spoke for a local youth sports organization which he described as non-profit, staffed by volunteer members, and financed by sign-up fees, fund raisers and concessions. He said that members work on the fields and buy uniforms for every child and he asked the Council for exemption of additional fees and subsequently for a waiver of outstanding invoices for lighting invoices for prior years. Laird reported that other similar organizations present statements of expenses and bank accounts when making such requests. Brannon asked to see expense statements for 2012 and 2013. After some additional discussion this topic was continued to the meeting of Jan. 13, 2015 when the organization will be expected to present expense and bank statements and papers certifying its non-profit status.
