By BEN GRAFTON
Freeport High School’s State Championship Girl’s Basketball Team and its coaches attended the Freeport City Council meeting of Feb. 26 before a full house in the city’s council chamber. Councilwoman Elizabeth Brannon read a resolution praising the accomplishments of this team. The proclamation was followed by rousing applause. When the applause died down, Mayor Russ Barley presented each member of the team with a fresh long-stemmed rose whose color closely matched the orange of the school’s orange and blue colors.
Barley announced that a community celebration for the basketball team would be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday at the city hall.
City employee Brendan Day was introduced and presented with a state of Florida Department of Environmental Protection certificate certifying that Day has met all qualifications required by state statutes and is certified as a Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator, Class C.
Turning to other business the Council approved two requests by the Water Department to have inspections and wash-outs of the city’s water tanks and to bring the flow meter serving Well No. 2 up to standards.
In order to receive Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) the city is required to create a council consisting of one employee and four members of the public. The formation of this council was approved.
City Parks Director Dana Weiler reported that Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (CHELCO) is requesting a waiver of fees for the use of two city softball fields from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in March for a Freeport Relay for Life softball tournament. Weiler will ask CHELCO to follow standard procedure and submit a written request for the waiver.
Weiler asked the Council for the expenditure of $362 to provide equipment for a “strictly beginners” tennis program. The program will be done in the evenings for all ages. An April startup is planned. When equipment is on hand the program can be advertised. The Council approved the request.
Weiler asked for approval of $295 to attend a program in Panama City to certify pool operators. The Council approved the request. She also reported that there is a 7-foot crack in the base of the pool and asked for approval to proceed with repairs. The Council approved the request.
Engineer Cliff Knauer of Preble-Rish Presented a brief walkthrough of the process followed when a project is designed, bid and executed. The presentation touched on bids; contract documents; advertising; opening bids, tabulation and recommending action to the Council; dealing with bonding; providing inspectors as needed; contract administration; project meetings; notice of substantial completion; punch lists; and closeout.
Knauer also reported that specifications for work on the Community Center are ready for review.
Brannon reported that the Council attended the ethics training class in Crestview. She also reported there will be a Northwest Florida League of Cities joint dinner meeting in Tallahassee on March 18 in the Florida State Alumni Center as a part of preparing for discussions with legislators.
Brannon reported that Rep. Brad Drake has agreed to help the city in its quest to obtain funds to extend city water lines to Bruce.
The Council appointed Councilman Eddie Farris as a back-up for Brannon if she is unable to attend meetings with the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization.
Farris asked the Council to approve City Council training on Risk Management Liability by the Director of Risk Control. The Council approved having City Clerk Gary Mattison set up the training session.
Mattison will set up a workshop on March 5 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss reorganization of the assignments of Council members to Departments and to discuss the City Personnel Manual.
Councilwoman Janice McLean announced that City Clerk Gary Mattison has completed his 90-day evaluation and is now a fulltime employee.
A discussion about fire hydrant maintenance will be scheduled for the next Council meeting on March 10.
