CITY OF FREEPORT  REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  September 10, 2024, 9:00 AM Council Chambers, Freeport City Hall  Mayor Russ Barley, Councilwoman Elizabeth Brannon, Councilman Eddie Farris, and Councilwoman City Attorney Çlay Adkinson, City Manager Mark Martin, City Clerk Rebecca King, Finance Officer Sara Bowers, Planning Director Latilda Hughes-Neel, Parks Director Charles Bartlett, Parks and Recreation Admin Assistant Heidi Manger, Wastewater Supervisor Paul Johnson, City Engineer Alex Rouchaleau and Ben Blitch, Water Supervisor Larry Tuggle, and HR Director  Council Members Present:. Councilman Bud Day, Councilman Tracey Dickey,  Elizabeth Haffner.  Staff Members Present:  Chris Quinley  City Clerk Note: Some meeting items appear in a different order than the agenda  shows.  1. Meeting called to order Chambers of Freeport City Hall. 2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance  The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am by Mayor Barley in the Council  Councilman Farris gave the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the  American Flag was recited. 3. Recognition of Guests 4. Consent Agenda a. Bills  b. Regular Council Meeting Minutes - 07092024 C. Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes - 08222024 d. Regular Council Meeting Minutes - 08222024  5. Public Comment on Consent Agenda    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none  6. Approval of Consent Agenda  Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve the consent agenda as presented. Aroll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  CounclwomanHatiner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried.  aye aye aye aye aye  7. Consideration of Additions to Agenda 8. Approval of Agenda with Additions Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilman Dickey  1.1 Mayor - Addition - Opportunity Florida Summit  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  To approve agenda additions as presented.  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried. 9. Staff Reports a. Water b. Sewer  aye aye aye aye aye  1. USSI Smoke Testing and Services  2    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  Wastewater Supervisor Johnson requested a motion to approve the expenditure for Smoke Testing on Business 331 to check the integrity of sewer lines.  Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by Councilwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve the USSI Smoke Testing and Services on Business 331  expenditure for $97,549.00. Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried C. Parks  aye aye aye aye aye  1. Pyro Shows 2025 Fireworks  Parks Director Bartlett asked for a motion to approve the contract for Pyro Shows, Inc 4th ofJuly 2025 firework show with a 5% increase equaling  $47,250.00.  Moved By: Councilwoman Brannon Seconded by Councilwoman Haffner  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  To approve the contract for. Pyro Shows, Inc 4th afJuly2025frework show  with a 5% increase equaling $47,250.00. Aroll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  Parks Director Bartlett also reminded Council of' The Night at the Park set for Friday, September 13th. Admission is free. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs,  3    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  a bouncy house, and a live band, smores, everybody come out from 5:00pm =  8:00pm. d. City Manager e. City Clerk f.F Human Resources 1. COVID - 19 Policy Update  City Manager Martin requested a motion to revise the current COVID - 19 Policy to the current CDC guidelines. Requiring a motion to rescind Resolution  2022-05: Policy Related to COVID - 19 for City Employees.  Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilman Dickey To rescind Resolution 2022-05 Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried g. Finance h. Billing i. Planning  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none Ar roll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  aye aye aye aye aye  1. Anchored in Freeport Update:  Planning Director Hughes - Neel introduced Tracy Louthain with an update on Anchored in Freeport. Tracy said that 8 sponsorships were needed to make the project feasible. Currently there are 6 committed sponsors. Still need 2 more sponsors. Bringing a recommendation to council for the 6 artists that there are committed sponsors for 3 alternate artists for the remaining 2 sponsorships. Artists are Estelle Grengs, Andy Saczynski, Juan Adaro, Wes Hinds, Katherine Boggs, Kendall Boggs, Gina Dawn, Sarah Page, and Gisselle Barnhart. Request for Sponsorship from City of Freeport. Sponsorship is $3000.00 to have an  4    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  anchor at City Hall. Can have a plaque that talks about the Artist. City will  only be responsible for anchor on city property.  Moved by Councilman Farris Seconded by Councilwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To become a sponsor of Anchored in Freeport for up to $3000 from this  year's budget or next years budget.  Ar roll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  Discussion continued regarding location of anchor. Council wants staff to bring Tracy Requested approval of 6: recommended artists and 3 alternates, but with Council approval of sponsorship it would be 7 recommended artists and 2  back possible locations.  alternates.  Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilman Dickey  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve 7 recommended artists and 2 alternates Ar roll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  2. RFQ Results - 3280 Water Well & Tower  5    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  Planning Director Hughes-Neel brought RFQ results for 3280 water and well tower. This is a capital improvement project to provide potable water to the Black Creek area to improve water availability and pressure. Provided ranking results to council. This is the next step to getting a water tower on the 1.5-acre parcel acquired by Chandler Huff. Received 1 response to RFQ from Dewberry. Making the recommendation to approve the RFQ be awarded Dewberry  Engineering.  Moved by: Councilman Dickey Seconded by: Councilman Farris  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To award Dewberry Engineering the RFQ Aroll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Counciwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  3. Reclaim Water Ordinance = Second Reading  Planning Director Hughes - Neel asked for motion to hold second reading of Reclaim Water Ordinance. Frist reading was held August 22, 2024.  Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilman Day  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none To approve second reading of the Ordinance 2024-12, Reclaim Water  Ordinance.  Aroll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Counciwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Counciwoman Brannon: Counciman Dickey:  aye aye aye aye aye  6    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  Carried  Planning Director Hughes-Neel held second reading by title only.  AN ORDINANCEPERTAINING TO RECLAIM WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS; PROVIDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CRITERIA; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.  4. RFQ Results - Ronnie Brannon Sr Regional Sports Complex  City Council approved the issuance of a RFQ for the permitting and design of Phase 1 of the Ronnie Brannon Sr. Regional Sports Complex and Planning received 3. proposals. Review team met August 15th. Ranked 1) Innerlight - 296 points 2) Dewberry - 261 points and 3) O'Connell - 254 points. All three are local and scored very highly. Staff recommending Innerlight be awarded the  RFQ.  Moved by: Counciwoman Brannon Seconded by: Councilman Dickey  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none To award the RFQ. for Ronnie Brannon Sr. Regional Sports Complex to  Innerlight.  A roll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  5. Thompson SSA/Rezoning 2nd Reading  City Attorney Adkinson explained that this item would be a Quasi - Judicial Hearing and detailed how it will proceed. He swore in anyone that came Planning Director Hughes-Neel went over the project and advised that this would be two separate ordinances one for the Small-Scale Amendment and one for the Rezoning. Planning Board heard these two matters on August 7, 2024  forward to testify.  7    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  and recommended approval. City Council held first reading was held August  22, 2024.  Moved by Councilman Farris Seconded by Councilwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none  To approve second reading of Ordinance 2024-13 Thompson Small - Scale  Amendment and adoption. Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  Aroll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  aye aye aye aye aye  Moved by Councilman Dickey Seconded by Councilman Farris  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none To approve second reading ofOrdinance 2024-13 Thompson Rezoning  Ordinance and adoption Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  A roll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  aye aye aye aye aye  Planning Director Hughes-Neel held second reading by title only for both AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE CITY OF FREEPORT, SPECIFICALLY THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP, SPECIFICALLY THE PARCEL IDENTIFIED WUTH PROPERTY REFERNCE NUMBER 22-1S-  ordinances.  8    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  19-23030.000-0910 CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 1.69 ACRES MORE OR LESS, FROM CITY FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS OF MU (MIXED USE) AND RR (RURAL RESIDENTIAL) TO THE CITY'S MU (MIXED USE)  FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION.  AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP SERIES INCLUDED BY REFERENCE IN ARTICLE 3 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE CITY OF FREEPORT, SPECIFICALLY THE PARCEL IDENTIFIED WITH PROPERTY REFERENCE NUMBER 23-15-19-2303030-000-0910 CONTAINING: APPROXIMATELY 1.69 ACRES MORE OR LESS AND DESCRIBED BY THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION CONTAINED IN SECTION 1 BELOW AMENDING THE ZONING ASSIGNMENT FROM MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AND  UNDESIGNATED TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL.  j. Legal  1. Carr III Annexation - First Reading  City Attorney Adkinson introduced the proposed ordinance for first reading. 2024-15 as prospective ordinance number. City Attorney described the boundaries of the property and how it didn't line up with survey. Property owners have had additional survey completed resulting in a gap that gets bigger across the road; because of that there isn't an enclave. If one of the other owners want to come in and have their own survey work done in the future and say they think this causes an enclave. They can but we are not imposing any city utilities or infrastructure on them that is not already there. We are not depriving them of any county services that they otherwise would have. We are not requiring them to pay property taxes. They are not being annexed in. If they want to assert that this creates an enclave they can, but its going to be the opinion of the surveyor because the property lines south of 3280 does not match the city limits section line of 3280 it's to the west and that gap gets wider as you moved to the north. Because of that the City Attorney gives his approval that this does not cause an enclave based on that representation of that surveyor. They meet the minimum requirements to request voluntary annexation. Requested a motion to hold first reading and  advertise for second reading for the Carr III Annexation.  Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  9    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  To approve. first reading. for the Carr IT Annexation proposed ordinance and authorize staff to advertise for second reading and a public meeting  for adoption.  Aroll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  City Attorney Adkinson held first reading by title only.  AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING TO THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FREEPORT, FLORIDA, CERTAIN PROPERTY AND REDEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF FREEPORT, FLORIDA, sO AS TO INCLUDE THEREIN THE PROPERTY ANNEXED HEREIN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION PROVISIONS OF FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 171.044, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS, AND AN City Attorney Adkinson introduced Resolution to formally memorialize the density transfer requested from one parcel to another. This would not create a greater density and would not exceed double the density limitations. Asking for less than they would be entitled to. This is why he is asking for the Council to officially approved the density transfer in the form of a resolution thatif  EFFECTIVE DATE.  2. Jay Odom Density Transfer Request  adopted would be Resolution 2024-05. Moved by Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  To officially approved the density transfer in the form ofar resolution that if  adopted would be Resolution 2024-05.  A roll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  10    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  3. Update on Community Center:  Planning Director Hughes-Neel asked to give update on Community Center. Vertical construction is happening. Latest meeting had on community center there were several change orders that are common, they are attached for Council to look at. Asking for approval of the invoices and change orders.  Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve invoices and change orders for the Community Center. Ar roll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried k. Engineering  aye aye aye aye aye  1. Proposal For Design of Public Access Reuse System Booster Pump Station Dewberry Engineer Rouchaleau introduced a request from Sewer Department to design booster pump station that will tie into the reclaim tank at the City's plant. This will allow the use of the full capacity of the reclaim tank.  Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded: Councilman Dickey  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve the proposal for design of a Public. Access Reuse System  Booster. Pump Station. Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Counciwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey:  Aroll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  aye aye aye aye aye  11    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  Carried  2. US 331 South Sewer Expansion Construction Bid Results  Dewberry Engineer Rouchaleau presented the bids for the US 331 South Sewer expansion. Received four bids. High bid was 5.3 million low bid was 3.6 million. Dewberry had estimated approximately 4 million for construction costs. Low bidder is ECSC out of Panama City. Dewberry has worked with them before. Dewberry Engineer Rouchaleau recommended awarding the bid to ECSC for 3,674,267.04. Would also like the city to consider having an allotment for potential change order items, whatever Council feels comfortable with for City Staff to approve. If unforeseen conditions happen. That would allow Dewberry to keep the construction going instead of having to wait two  weeks for the next council meeting. Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilman Dickey  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve awarding the bid to ECSC (the low bidder). A roll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  City Manager asked City Attorney for suggestions on the allotment amount for City Manager approval. City Attorney stated he thought it was a poor practice and change orders should be approved by Council. Council stated they didn't want to approve an allotment and change orders should be approved by 3. US3 331 South Sewer Expansion Construction Engineering & Inspection Dewberry Engineer Rouchaleau introduced the proposal for 9 months of  Council. Proposal  services and offered to answer any questions. Moved by Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by Councilman Farris  12    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve the 9 months ofservices between Dewberry and the City of Freeport for US331 South Sewer. Expansion Construction Engineering &  Inspection Proposal.  A roll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried 10. Old Business 11. New Business a. Mayor Barley  aye aye aye aye aye  1. Opportunity Florida Summit  Mayor Barley asked if the Council wanted him to attend the Opportunity Florida Summit in Ocala FL November 20- 22. The cost is approximately $1200.00 with the opportunity for a scholarship that will pay 90% if approved.  Moved by: Counciwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilman Day  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  To approve Mayor. Barley to go to the Opportunity Florida Summit in Ocala  November 20 -22.  Aroll call was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day: Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey: Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  b. Councilwoman Brannon C. Councilman Farris d. Councilwoman Haffner  13    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 10, 2024  e. Councilman Dickey f. Councilman Day 12. Public Comment 13. Adjournment  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  With no other business, Mayor Barley motioned to adjourn at 10:07 a.m. Minutes were prepared by City Clerk King and approved by the City Council on  September 26, 2024.  Russ Barley, Mayor ATTEST:  Rebecca King, City RlewyBg  CERBRATE SEALy FLORIPA  14