CITY OF FREEPORT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES October 08, 2024, 9:00. AM Council Chambers, Freeport City Hall  Council Members Present: Mayor Russ Barley, Councilwoman Elizabeth Haffner, Councilman  Bud Day, Councilman Eddie Farris, Councilwoman Elizabeth City Attorney Clay Adkinson, City Manager Mark Martin, City Clerk Rebecca King, Finance Officer Sara Bowers, Planning Director Latilda Hughes-Neel, Senior Planner Samantha Graves, Parks Director Charles Bartlett, Parks and Recreation Admin Assistant Heidi Manger, HR Director Chris Quinley, Wastewater Supervisor Paul Johnson, Utility Billing Supervisor Maya Banks - Fischer, and Dewberry  Brannon, and Councilman Tracey Dickey.  Staff Members Present:  Engineer Alex Rouchaleau.  City Clerk Note: Some items appear in a different order than the agenda shows.  1.N Meeting called to order  The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Barley in the Council  Chambers of Freeport City Hall. 2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance American Flag was recited. 3. Recognition of Guests 4. Consent Agenda a. Bills  Counciman Dickey gave the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the  b. Regular Council Meeting Minutes - September 26, 2024 C. Final Public Budget Hearing Minutes - September 30, 2024  5. Public Comment on Consent Agenda 6. Approval of Consent Agenda  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilman Dickey  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:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day  aye aye    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey Carried.  aye aye aye  7. Consideration of Additions and/or Deletions to Agenda 1. Parks - Addition = Christmas Parade 2. Parks = Addition - Field Use Old Middle School  3. Utility Billing - Addition - November and December Disconnects  8. Approval of Agenda with Deletions  Moved by: Counciwoman Brannon Seconded by: Councilman Farris  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve the agenda additions and deletions, as presented. Ar roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey Carried. 9. Staff Reports a. City Clerk b. City Manager C. Engineering  aye aye aye aye aye  1. Earl Godwin 1.5 MGD WWTF - Change Orders #58 #6  Engineer Rouchaleau introduced item and explained needed changes. Change Order #5 totals $25,990.83, includes 60 days due to material delays the additional 25,990.83 is for sludge removal. Change Order #6 totals 9185,711.95, additional owner requested items, prevention of degradation, additional bollards and wear plates, gate opener, time-based controls, etc. Lastly is an amendment #4 for additional engineering requirements. Three  separate motions required.  2    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilman Farris  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve change order #5 subject to USDA Approval. AI roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  Moved by: Counciwoman Haffner Seconded by: Counciwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve Change order #6 subject to USDA Approval A: roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Counciwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilman Dickey  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve Amendment #4 subject to USDA Approval A1 roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  3    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  d. Finance e. Human Resources  1. 2025 Holidays - Human Resources Director Quinley introduced item and asked for approval. This will be the same holidays as 2024. 11 holidays totaling  13 days.  Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilman Day  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. AI roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  To approve 2025 Holidays schedule  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon: Councilman Dickey Carried  aye aye aye aye aye  f.Legal g. Parks  1. Windmill Reindeer Dash  Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant Manger introduced item and Courtney Blackerby to answer any questions regarding event. This event supports South Walton High School. Numerous clubs will participate in the event and all proceeds will go to the Track and Field team. Asking for approval to hold event in December. Councilwoman Haffner asked why the event benefitted South Walton High School and not Freeport High School. Ms. Blackerby stated that if Freeport came to them they would support the Freeport High School. They would support any school in Walton County. They believe this will bring in people from South Walton. Councilman Day asked for the location of the event. Councilwoman Brannon asked if any roads would be closed. Ms. Blackerby stated there wouldn't be any closed roads. Through further discussion, Ms. Blackerby agreed to reach out to Freeport High School to see if they could be involved. Councilwoman Haffner asked if this could be  an event Freeport Schools next year. Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilman Day  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  4    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  To approve the Windmill Reindeer Dash  A roll call vote 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. Flag Football at Sports Complex  Parks Director Bartlett introduced item and asked for approval to waive fees for  usage and lights.  Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve the waving offees for usage and lights for Flag Football Aroll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon Councilman Dickey: Carried.  aye aye aye aye aye  3. Field Use for Old Middle School  Parks Director Bartlett stated that there was a meeting regarding usage of Old Middle School Fields. County has no one to maintain the fields, they asked if Parks can maintain the fields. This will be a trilateral agreement between the city the county and the school board. City will maintain the fields, county will maintain the restroom facilities, and lights, and the School Board will maintain plumbing and irrigation. Legal stated that having an interlocal agreement would be the best way to go about this. Counciwoman Haffner thanked  everyone for coming forward with this idea. Moved by: Counciwoman Brannon Seconded by: Councilwoman Haffner  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  5    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  To move forward with drafting Interlocal Agreement between parties  involved.  Ar roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon Councilman Dickey: Carried. 4. Christmas Parade  aye aye aye aye aye  Parks Administrative Assistant Manger asked for council approval to hold the Annual Christmas Parade on December 7th, 2024, from 5:15 - 8:15 pm. This is  requested as FLDOT needs the approval for permitting.  Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilwoman Farris  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  To hold Christmas Parade December 7th at 5:15pm - 8:15 pm and to close  the roads during this time. Counciwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon Councilman Dickey: Carried. h. Planning  A: roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  aye aye aye aye aye  1. CEI Proposal for Community Center Completion the completion of the Community Center. Moved by: Counciwoman Brannon Seconded by: Councilman Dickey To approve the CEIAgreement.  Planning Director Hughes-Neel introduced item. Item is to continue oversite of  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.  6    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  Aroll call vote 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. Community Center Change Order/Crow's Nest  Planning Director Hughes-Neel introduced item. The original plans were put together rapidly and as the completion comes closer those items have become  more solidified with what is needed to last into the future.  Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilwoman Haffner  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve the change order for the crow's nest A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon Councilman Dickey: Carried.  aye aye aye aye aye  3. Change Order - Concession Stand/Bathroom 3 phase. This is necessary for continued use. Moved by: Councilwoman Brannon Seconded by: Councilman Farris  Planning Director Hughes-Neel introduced item. This is to convert the power to  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve the change order. for the concession stand/Dathyooms. AI roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Counciwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon  aye aye aye aye 7    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  Councilman Dickey: Carried.  aye  4. Change Order - H/C Platform for Lift  Planning Director Hughes-Neel introduced item. Looked at several options for lifts. It was decided that for longevity and value was on the lift included in  change order.  Moved by: Councilman Dickey Seconded by: Councilwoman Brannon  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve the change order for the H/C. Platform for Lift. Ar roll call vote 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. Change Order Community Center Power Upgrades  Planning Director Hughes-Neel introduced item. Due to the load of the sound and lighting equipment more power is required. These upgrades will make this  possible.  Moved by: Councilman Farris Seconded by: Councilman Day  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  To approve the change order for power upgrades to the Community Center.  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Counciwoman Brannon Councilman Dickey: Carried. 6. Updates  aye aye aye aye aye  8    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  Planning Director Hughes-Neel gave council an update on the year in review for Planning Department. Budgeted income of $312,000 brought in $718,000. Highest development applications were in January $76,000. Sidewalk buyouts brought in $136,000. Protected tree buyout almost half a million dollars there that can be used for landscaping and different projects throughout the city, as we are currently looking at 3 different parks, this money will come in handy for match funds. Highest number of building permits were in September at 89. Highest number of code violations in any month was 5. Budgeted expenses were $910,000 actual expenses were less than $600,000. Planning Director  Hughes-Neel expressed how proud she is of her staff.  i. Sewer 1. Update  Wastewater Supervisor Johnson reported to Council that smoke testing began today on Business 331. They will be testing 48,048 feet of sewer lines to see if  there are any issues. This testing will last a couple of weeks.  j. Utility Billing  1. November and December Disconnects disconnects for November and December 2024. Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilwoman Brannon  Utility Billing Supervisor Banks-Fischer asked for approval to not have  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To not have disconnects for the months of November and December 2024 A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon Councilman Dickey: Carried. k. Water  aye aye aye aye aye  1. New Vehicle Purchase  Water Supervisor Tuggle stated that the Water Department had budgeted to purchase two trucks. The firstis full sized. Budgeted $47,000 for this purchase, Of the three bids, the lowest is Triangle Chevrolet at $46,187.28.  9    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilman Day  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve purchase of truck from Triangle for $46,187.28 A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Councilwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon Councilman Dickey: Carried.  aye aye aye aye aye  The second is a mid-sized truck Chevy Colorado to replace a vehicle that is out of service. Budgeted $32,000 for this purchase, Of the three bids,  the lowest is Triangle Chevrolet at $31,305.51. Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner Seconded by: Councilman Day  Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none. To approve purchase of the mid-sized truck from Triangle for $31,305.51 A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:  Counciwoman Haffner Councilman Day Councilman Farris: Councilwoman Brannon Councilman Dickey: Carried.  aye aye aye aye aye  10. Old Business 11. New Business a. Mayor Barley b. Councilwoman Brannon C. Councilman Farris  10    REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 08, 2024  d. Councilwoman Haffner 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 9:37 a.m. Minutes were prepared by City Clerk King and approved by the City Council on  October 24, 2024.  ATTEST:  Russ  Rebeccal  City  24  Rlplige  CREODAN SAL FLORIRA  11