By BEN GRAFTON
City Planner Latilda Hughes opened the Freeport City Council meeting of Sept. 9 with a request that the Council clarify how building permit fees should be charged.
At the present time a $25 fee is charged when an application for a building permit is submitted, but Hughes said, “We are now dealing with multiple-part reviews. Following the initial application, the builder comes back for approval of corrections made, the approval to foundation plans and for separate review of site elevations.” The question posed is whether or not the builder should be charged an additional fee for each of these reviews. City Attorney Clayton Adkinson suggested that the city check to see how Walton County Planning handles this.
Councilwoman Kasey Cuchens commented, “The city is not overwhelmed with building permits. The fee schedule should remain as it is: a $25 fee to cover the permit procedure from beginning to end.” A motion to adopt Cuchens’ position was approved by the Council.
Fire Chief Chad Harrell presented a summary of fire department activity in the month of August. He reported that the department responded to a total of 42 calls including 26 medical calls, two vehicle accidents, two structure fires and two water rescues. Two lieutenants took a class required for fire officer certification. Maintenance was performed on 75 hydrants, a CPR class was presented at Paxton School and a CPR/first aid class was presented at the station for coaches.
Cliff Knauer of Preble-Rish advised the Council that the previous report that Small County Outreach Program grants required 25 percent matching funds was in error. It has been found that grants to disadvantaged cities require no match. So, the city would not be required to provide matching funds for a grant from this program to resurface Highway 883 (new name for Old Highway 331) and to put in a connecting road from the Industrial Park to U.S. 331. So, an estimate for these projects has been prepared. The submittal date for the grant is Sept. 10.
Knauer also reported that an inspection of the city’s lift stations has been made and it has been found that seven of them are in, “very, very bad shape.” Cost estimates for repairs are being made. “Otherwise,” Knauer said, “our forcemain that’s going from Blueberry to Hammock Bay is coming along great.”
Hughes said she was able to gather some requests for qualifications (RFQs) from area cities and the county for RFQs they use when looking for internet technicians/IT support specialists. This material can be something for Council members to work with to come up with a position description for an annual contract. The Council approved advertising for 30 days in an effort to identify three to five applicants for interview as an IT support specialist.
Hughes also discussed the subject of Cox Communications as the provider for WiFi net service for city hall. Cox would undertake this under a three-year agreement. She reported that the bid for this service was high. The one-time set up fee would be $149. The monthly bill for the WiFi net up would be $120 per site. The city has been paying about $514 per month for existing service.
Councilman Eddie Farris asked for and received approval to provide a picnic table in back of city hall for employee use.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Brannon reported on Northwest Florida League of Cities plans to better train those city representatives who go to Tallahassee as advocates to present arguments to legislators for programs that are most important to the cities. This program will be discussed at the League meeting next week.
Mayor Russ Barley reminded all present that the first annual Bayfest was coming up on Sept. 20 and that the anticipation is exciting.
Tim Ard advised the Council that the day after the Bayfest, on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., there will be a celebration to unveil the historical marker at Marse Landing to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the landfall of Brig. Gen. Alexander Asboth while raiding the Florida Panhandle. This landing preceded the Battle of Marianna. Civil War re-enactors will participate in the celebration.
