DelFuniak Springs City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Council Chambers June 9, 2025 1. Call to Order Mayor Bob Campbell called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. Present: Mayor Bob Campbell; Mayor Pro-Tempore Todd Bierbaum (Seat 1); Councilmember Josh Sconiers (Seat 2); Councilmember Amy Heavilin (Seat 3); Councilmember Glen Harrison (Seat 4); Councilmember Danny Cosson (Seat 5). Absent: Also, present were City Manager Koby Townsend, City Attorney Clay Adkinson, Interim Finance Director Danielle McDaniel, and City Clerk Rafael Ali. 2. PRESENTATION AND/OR PROCLAMATION A. Proclamation for Juneteenth Mr. Campbell read the Juneteenth Proclamation. B. DelFuniak Springs Little League Girls Machine Pitch Softball District 1 Champions Recognition Mr. Campbell read the proclamation for Juneteenth. 3. CONSENT AGENDA A. Additions/Deletions to the Consent Agenda B. Approval ofthe Consent Agenda A motion was made to approve the Consent Agenda and to move item D2, F1, and G1 to the Regular Agenda by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Sconiers; the motion passed without objection. 4. REGULAR AGENDA A. Additions/Deletions to the Regular Agenda B. Approval of the Regular Agenda A motion was made to approve the Regular Agenda with changes by Councilmember Heavilin and seconded by Councilmember Bierbaum; the motion passed without objection. 1. Update Contact Information for Trustmark Bank Authorized Representatives Mrs. Heavilin asked ifthe Mayor Pro Tem needs to be added to that language base on our policy. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 1 Mr. Townsend answered yes. Mrs. Heavilin states that she wanted to share that for transparency. A motion was made to approve Updated Contact Information for Trustmark Bank Authorized Representatives by Councilmember Heavillin and seconded by Councilmember Bierbaum; the motion passed without objection. 2.TRIUMPH Gulf Coast (Project #284) Draft Grant Award Agreement Mr. Townsend presented the draft Grant Award Agreement for TRIUMPH Gulf Coast (Project #284). Mrs. Heavilin stated that she would like to hold off on approving the agreement until the next City Council meeting to allow more time for the Council to voice their concerns regarding the agreement. Mr. Harrison asked ifMr. Adkinson had sufficient time to review the agreement. Mr. Adkinson confirmed that he had reviewed the agreement prior to it being placed on the agenda. He stated that he has compared it to other Triumph grant agreements and found it to be consistent with those the City has handled in the past. 1 Mrs. Heavilin reiterated her desire to discuss her concerns about the Triumph Gulf Coast grant. She noted that she originally believed the project would generate 500 jobs, but the current documentation references only 100. She also raised concerns about the matching fund requirements and pointed out that Triumph must approve the individuals or entities working on the project. Additionally, she mentioned restrictions on the use ofrevenues related to the grant. Mr. Adkinson clarified that the legal term "prosecution being used" is standard language in such agreements. He explained that while Triumph does have authority to approve or disapprove project elements, any failure to respond within a designated timeframe results in automatic approval. He addressed several of Mrs. Heavilin's concerns, emphasizing that the Triumph Gulf Coast agreement is not adversarial in nature. Mr. Townsend added that Triumph evaluates grant proposals based on job creation and industry certifications. He noted that Triumph expects these positions to be self-sustaining, or "stand- alone, 9 jobs. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 2 Mr. Townsend stated that this is a reimbursable grant, as are 100 percent ofthe City's grants. He further explained the Triumph grant process and clarified that no City tax dollars have been used to fund the project. Mr. Townsend also noted that the airport is a self-sustaining fund and will not impact the general fund. Mrs. Heavilin formally requested that the vote be postponed until the next meeting to allow for additional review and discussion. A motion was made to Postpone TRIUMPH Gulf Coast (Project #284) Draft Grant Award Agreement to the next City Council meeting by Councilmember Heavilin and seconded by Councilmember Cosson; the motion failed with Councilmember Bierbaum, Councilmember Sconiers and Councilmember Harrison voting nay. A motion was made to approve TRIUMPH Gulf Coast (Project #284) Draft Grant Award Agreement by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councimember Sconiers; the motion passed with Counçimember Heavilin voting nay. Mr. Bierbaum stated that the Council should approve the agreement and secure $10 million in funding from the State. He emphasized that this project has been in development for a long time. Mrs. Heavilin responded that the agreement had just been finalized and that this was the first time she had seen it. She requested a two-week extension to review the document. Mr. Harrison noted that there is little the Council can do regarding the timeline, as grants like this have strict deadlines. He added that he trusts the City's legal counsel and his opinion on the contract. Mr. Cosson asked if a two-week delay would interfere with the grant timeline. Mr. Townsend replied that the grant has two deadlines and that timing is crucial. Mrs. Heavilin expressed concern that ad valorem tax dollars may need to be used initially to fund the project. Mr. Townsend explained that the City is evaluating what funds can be used to meet the required match. Mr. Cosson inquired whether this expense is already included in the current budget. Mr. Townsend responded that it will be budgeted. Mr. Bierbaum emphasized the need to make a decision that evening, noting that Triumph Gulf Coast closely monitors how the City handles these matters. He stated that he received the document the previous Wednesday and that this process is not new- ample time has been available to review the agreement. He stressed that such procedures are standard for grants of this nature. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 3 While acknowledging the concern regarding upfront funding, Mr. Bierbaum clarified that it would not impact the City's daily operations. Mrs. Heavilin apologized for not reviewing the document, explaining that she is a business owner and had limited time. Mr. Mathews noted that Representative Abbott passed legislation last year allowing grant funds to be disbursed in advance, specifically for rural communities. Michelle Kitch remarked that all participants should come prepared for meetings and added that those who fail to do SO should consider stepping down from the board. Mr. Parson stated that the City has worked diligently over the past year to secure this highly competitive grant, with only five awarded statewide. He reminded the Council that the City was unsuccessful in securing similar funding seven years ago. Mr. Parson also shared that coordination has taken place with the Department ofCommerce to meet all required timelines. Mr. Cosson stated that he has had productive conversations with Mr. Parson and commended his efforts. He described Mr. Parson's comments as a "game changer" in his decision-making process. Jerane Crook, a citizen of DeFuniak Springs, asked what would happen if the State were to withdraw the grant funding. Mr. Adkinson clarified that the funding has already been secured and allocated in the State budget. 3. Water Meter Ouote Mrs. Heavilin asked how many units have been replaced. She stated that the Council should review the situation in order to better understand the costs associated with it. Mr. Townsend responded that Randle Holden mentioned they typically aim to keep 30 units on hand due to their cost and to ensure availability in case of equipment failures. A motion was made to approve the Water Meter Quote by Councilmember Heavilin and seconded Councilmember Bierbaum; the motion passed without objection. C. City Manager K. Townsend 1. Mayor & Councilmembers Committees and Appointments Mr. Townsend presented on Mayor & Councilmembers Committees and Appointments. Mr. Townsend stated that the Walton County Community Health Improvement Plan Committee is the last board. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 4 A motion was made to have the City Manager join the Walton County Community Health Improvement Plan Committee by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Cosson; the motion passed without objection. Mr. Cosson stated that he suggested that we have an Aviation Board be created. Mr. Cosson stated that this board should be our think tank. Mr. Adkinson stated that this would require it being a separate agenda item and he is welcome to return it with it at the next city council meeting. 2. 4-Way Stop at South 12th Street & East Live Oak Ave Mr. Townsend stated that he removed the stop sign located at South 12th Street and East Live Oak Avenue. He explained that the reason for this action was due to changes made by the Florida Department ofTransportation (FDOT) to the traffic flow at the intersection ofU.S. Highway 331 and U.S. Highway 90, as a result of ongoing construction. Mr. Townsend acknowledged that he had observed an increase in traffic on South 12th Street and expressed concern about the potential for accidents in the area. He noted that when drivers are unfamiliar with newly installed or temporary traffic control signs, the risk of accidents increases. Mr. Harrison spoke on the issue of the four-way stop. He stated that while this was a matter the City Manager had the authority to address, the Council had previously voted on it. Therefore, he believes the issue should have come back before the Council for reconsideration. Mr. Harrison emphasized the importance of maintaining public transparency. He clarified that the current situation was not the fault of the City Manager and explained that his comments were not meant as a criticism ofMr. Townsend. Mr. Harrison concluded by stating that the decision should have been brought before the Council from the beginning, and acknowledged that it was ultimately his responsibility as well. A motion was made to reinstal the stop signs by Councilmember Harrison and seconded by Councilmember Bierbaum; the motion passed with Councilmember Heavilin and Councilmember Cosson voting nay. A motion was made to develop a policy governing traffic control devices and to bring it back to the Council for approval by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Sconiers; the motion passed without objection. Mr. Adkinson stated he believes it falls within the City Manager's general purview to remove signage. However, he acknowledged that this situation is different because the Council previously voted on the matter and made a decision. Mr. Townsend stated that there should be a procedural policy in place to handle such issues. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 5 Mrs. Heavilin agreed, stating that a policy is indeed needed. Mr. Townsend clarified that such decisions are currently allowed under the authority granted to the City Manager through the City Charter and Code. He added that he intends to bring back a policy outlining the procedure for handling public requests for stop signs. Mr. Adkinson added that, broadly speaking, the City Manager does have the authority to make such decisions. Mr. Harrison stated that his concern was not with the policy itself, but with the perception of impropriety. He shared that he had received an email questioning whether there were issues involving a Councilmember. The email questioned how a decision voted on by four Councilmembers could later be changed. Mr. Harrison reiterated that he had voted no on the stop sign issue and emphasized the importance ofn maintaining transparency with the public. He acknowledged thatit was both his and the Council's responsibility to understand that the City Manager had the authority to make such a decision. Mr. Harrison stressed the need to maintain public trust, which is why he decided to make a motion. He added that he had received zero complaints about the stop signs and emphasized that actions taken in public should remain public. He concluded by saying that, since the decision was already made, the Council now needs to move forward. Mr. Bierbaum asked if Mr. Harrison would be open to a follow-up motion to evaluate procedures. Mr. Harrison responded, Absolutely." Mr. Sconiers stated that he would like to hear from residents about the impact of the stop signs and the policy. Mr. Cosson noted that after being elected, many citizens contacted him about the issue. He said he reached out to the City Manager and City Attorney to ask what could be done and was informed that the matter falls under the City Manager's purview. He said he had some questions for staff. Mr. Cosson asked Mr. Hurley how Iong he had held his current position. Mr. Hurley replied, "About six years." Mr. Cosson asked whether there had been any severe accidents at the intersection during that time. Mr. Hurley responded, "No." Mr. Cosson then asked about minor accidents. Mr. Hurley again answered, "No." June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 6 Mr. Cosson asked whether there had been any speeding complaints. Mr. Hurley responded, "Yes." Finally, Mr. Cosson asked what the average speed on that road was. Mr. Hurley replied, "28 mph. 99 Mr. Cosson asked if, when the stop signs were up, did it make a difference. Mr. Hurley answered that not that he is aware of and explained they didn't have anyone up there because they are patrolling the whole city. Mr. Harrison asked ifhe thinks stop signs reduce speeding. Mr. Hurley answered yes. Mr. Harrison stated that maybe the stop signs are the solution to slow down people. Mr. Cosson asked Mr. Sheffield how long he has been with the city. Mr. Sheffield stated five years. Mr. Cosson asked if there have been accidents that they have to respond to. Mr. Sheffield answered there has been one accident in five years. Mr. Cosson said there has been one accident at the four-way stop sign in four years. Mr. Cosson added that there was no shenanigans involved. Mrs. Kitch stated that the issue is the stop sign has not completely solved the problem on Live Oak. Mrs. Kitch stated that her issue is that someone put pressure on an employee oft the city to get the stop sign taken away. Mrs. Kitch stated that someone stepped out of line and they should work in front of the citizens, not behind the citizens. Mrs. Kitch said that as a councilmember, you have to work as a whole. Lisa Sorrowis, citizen ofl DeFuniak Springs, said the stop signs did stop us and slow us down. Mrs. Sorrows stated that those signs need to be put back up. JB Hillard, citizen of DeFuniak Springs, stated that he has been involved in city and county government for 25 years. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 7 Mr. Hillard said that the action was wrong. Mr. Hillard emphasized that due process needs to be followed. Mr. Hillard stated that this was approved at a city council meeting and should be brought back to remove at a city council meeting. Mrs. [Name Missing] said that bicycles are in danger in that area, Mrs. [Name Missing] stated that people do not like stop signs. Mrs. [Name Missing] said she does not like that the stop sign issue did not come before the council and was taken down. Mr. Adkinson read the ordinance 506 which stated that the city manager shall see that all law, ordinance, and policy and acts of mayor or city council are faithfully executed. Mr. Adkinson stated Mr. Townsend has a degree of discretion ofhis supervision. Mr. Adkinson stated that Mr. Townsend understands that one councilmember can't tell him what to do. Mr. Adkinson stated that Mr. Townsend had intervening information about this coming back to the council. Mr. Adkinson stated that while it is within his authority, updating the council is something that should have been done. Mr. Adkinson stated that he regrets that we are having a conversation about this but it is important. Mr. Adkinson stated that having a public conversation on this is important. Mr. Adkinson stated that at this point in time he does have the authority. Mr. Harrison explained that he does not want Mr. Townsend to take all the blame for this. Mr. Harrison stated that Mr. Cosson made the comment to him that when he gets elected, we will get the stop sign put down. Mr. Harrison said that residents feel like pressure was applied to Mr. Townsend about the stop signs to be put down. Mr. Harrison stated that he does not see any information about these complaints and that emails are vital. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 8 Mr. Harrison stated that this seems like it is political. Mr. Cosson said it is. Chris, citizen ofDeFuniak Springs, asked how only one city council member knew about it. Mr. Chris stated that this needs to be more transparent. Mr. Chris stated that the former city councilmember told him the sign would be removed if a specific councilmember won the election. Mr. Chris stated that the sign was removed once Mr. Cosson became a city council member. Mr. Chris said that on four of the corners, there were signs not in favor of a specific candidate. Mr. Cosson stated that he wants everyone in the room and the city to know Mr. Townsend is not the bad guy. Mr. Cosson said that before he was elected, the phone calls started coming and people in the community started to come to him. Mr. Cosson stated that when the language of pressuring Mr. Townsend is mentioned, that is not true no one pressured Mr. Townsend. Mr. Cosson stated that if you want to look for a villain and bad-guy, blame me. Donald Graham, citizen of DeFuniak Springs, said that he has not seen this happen before in the city. Mr. Graham stated that this is political payback. Mr. Graham said that it is wrong. Kim Wennerberg, citizen of] DeFuniak Springs, said that whatever happened, happened. Mrs. Wennerberg said that if a study is needed, we should have one. Susan Vallee, citizen ofDeFuniak Springs, stated that we need that stop sign. Mrs. Vallee said that there are young kids that come by that neighborhood. Mrs. Vallee said her neighbor has a 4-year-old who is learning to ride a bike. Mrs. Vallee said there are a lot of children on that road. Mrs. Vallee said that Mr. Cosson should have spoken to the neighbors on the block. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 9 Mayor Campbell stated that he has the floor and noted there has been a point of order. Mr. Cosson said that he communicated with Mrs. Sharen. A member of the public stated that he did not. Mr. Cosson stated that he based his decision not on what could happen, but on what has happened. Mr. Cosson said that there has not been an issue there. Mrs. Vallee stated that we are discussing the budget but we are spending money on removing the stop sign. Mrs. Vallee asked if the whole neighborhood wants a stop sign, would we not have one? Mrs. Vallee said this feels like an overstep. Mrs. Commander stated that she would like to make a public records request on Mr. Cosson's phone. Mrs. Commander stated that you can't complain about phone calls when it is your job. Mrs. Henderson stated that you have to be careful when you. are part of a group if you are going to do something, because the group makes the decision. Mrs. [Name Missing] said there was no communication from the community about the signs being replaced. Mr. [Name Missing] stated that it is the council's responsibility to protect the citizens on the street. Mayor Campbell closed the floor for comments. Mr. Bierbaum stated that Mr. McKnight used to not get motions go his way and he would still respect the councilmember and support the council regardless. Mr. Bierbaum said that he is not in favor of stop signs or speed bumps. Mr. Bierbaum added that it speaks volumes about Councilmember Harrison bringing this issue back up, even though he is against it. 3. Purchasing Policy Updates - Section 4.021 Mr. Townsend presented an update on the purchasing policy. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 10 He explained the changes that have been made. Mrs. Heavilin asked how much surveillance equipment costs. Mr. Hurley responded that it ranges from $1,000 to $2,000. Mrs. Heavilin stated that she thinks this is a little vague. Mr. Hurley explained that there are protections in statute that help prevent us from revealing investigative efforts. Mrs. Heavilin reiterated that she finds the language vague and suggested it needs to be revised. Mr. Hurley said these issues have come up and the policy update is intended to clarify and clean things up. Mrs. Heavilin asked if this is only for surveillance. Mr. Hurley confirmed. Mrs. Heavilin asked what his threshold is. Mr. Hurley answered 3. Mr. Townsend stated that anything under $20,000 doesn't require the City Council's approval. Mr. Hurley responded that the policy is designed to help the city think ahead in order for bad guys to not know what the city is purchasing as far as survellance equipment. Mr. Bierbaum asked what is the policy regarding moving funds between line items. Mr. Adkinson stated that is a budget amendment at that point. Mr. Bierbaum stated that he wasn't that clear on that point on the record. Mr. Bierbaum explained that has happened in the past before. Mrs. Heavilin stated that from an external perspective nothing was violated. Mr. Townsend stated that Mrs. McDaniel won't let us move funds from admin to executive- she won't let that happen. Mr. Townsend stated that we move funds from within the department but not from department to department. Mr. Bierbaum stated that funds should not be moved from one budget category to another. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 11 He emphasized the importance of ensuring funding isn't being shifted around improperly. Mr. Adkinson noted that this policy update will be brought back on the consent agenda. Mr. Adkinson stated that we don't need a motion tonight. 4. Eagle Crossing Project Update Richard Walters, the representative of the Eagle Crossing project, presented the update. Mr. Walters stated that there has been a lot of efforts for this project. Mr. Walters stated that he wants to introduce himselfto the City Council. Mr. Walter stated he is working on Chapter 163 Development Agreement and he has reviewed the first draft. Mr. Walters stated that he's been working with Mr. Adkinson on this project. Mr. Walter stated that the document needs some cleanup, but he does not see this document not being done in the next 30 days for presentation. Mr. Adkinson stated that we should have this done in the July meetings. Mr. Walter stated that the goal is to keep the momentum going. Mr. Bierbaum stated that he is looking forward to developing a strong development agreement. Mr. Walter stated that he's here to answer any of the questions that the Council may have and provide a status update to the Council if they need it. 1 A motion was made to approve the extension of the PDP for 6 month with the understanding that this extension brings them into compliance as all prior extension have been timely with exemption of one by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Harrison; the motion passed without objection. 5. Termination Letter for Sale Agreement of City-Owned Property (Old City Hall) Mr. Townsend presented on the termination letter for the old City Hall property. Mr. Townsend asked Council what they want to do. Mr. Sconiers stated that we should put it back on the market. Mayor Campbell stated that we need to ensure the next buyer is serious about the purchase. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 12 Mr. Harrison stated that he wants Mr. Matthews to speak on this property. - Mr. Matthews stated that one of the interesting things is we don't have a lot of land to develop for economic development. Mr. Matthews stated that they. just won a project called Project Opal. Mr. Matthews stated that the EDA has been trying to evaluate what property we have for economic development. Mr. Matthews stated that we can offer property for economic development. Mr. Matthews stated that it is a timely decision and he is happy to play a role and be a resource to evaluate opportunities. Mr. Matthews stated that we have been doing a comparison on leasing versus sale. Mr. Matthews stated that in government you must sell the properties at the highest level. Mr. Matthews stated that you can lease properties and maintain control. Mr. Harrison stated that we can lease it, improve the property, and bring economic development to the city. Mr. Matthews stated that leasing allows you to have an improved property. Mayor Campbell asked if we lease it, we won't get property tax. Mr. Adkinson stated no. Mr. Bierbaum asked if there is anything in the agreement with the EDA that would stop them from looking at the properties we have and bringing potential lease options. Mr. Matthews stated that the idea behind the agreement is sO we can all work together and be on the same page. Mr. Harrison stated that we should think about these things. Mr. Harrison stated that people will still be fighting us on the property with regards to soil testing on site. Mr. Harrison stated that he wants to throw this out there for us to think about. Mr. Bierbaum stated that he agrees with Mr. Harrison to look at our options. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 13 A motion was made to authorize the property to go back for sale with no minimum price by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Sconiers; the motion passed without objection. Mrs. Heavilin stated that the $1.7 million seems a little low. Mrs. Heavilin asked ift the property has been appraised. Mr. Adkinson stated that an appraisal could make you lose money on the property. Mrs. Heavilin asked ifwel have gotten comps on the property. Mr. Adkinson said yes, we got the price based on comps. Mr. Bierbaum stated that he hopes URAC can work his magic in bringing us more options for the property, whether that is leasing or a buyer. Mr. Bierbaum stated that we need to build something there that will help the city and will help us collect property taxes and gas tax ifthere is an oil place there. Mrs. Heavilin asked why we are trying to set this and not allow the market to set the price. Mr. Bierbaum asked ifyou want to put it back for sale without a minimum. Mrs. Heavilin answered yes. Mr. Harrison stated that ifyou lease the property, we have control ofwhat goes into the building. Mr. Cosson asked if there is anything that we can do to protect the land and what goes there. Mr. Adkinson stated that we would have to do it with deed restrictions. Lee Thomas, Citizen of DeFuniak Springs, stated that the first person to say a number is the loser. Mrs. Commander asked if there is a limitation on what we can use the property for. Mr. Adkinson stated nothing other than the Land Development Code. 6. Strategic Planning Services RFQ 2025-02-CM Mr. Townsend presented on Strategic Planning Services RFQ 2025-02-CM. Mr. Townsend advised that the Council shortlist the bidders: Raftelis, Ayres, and Solutions 7 Focused Culture. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 14 A motion was made to short list the firms to Raftelis, Aryes, and Solutions Focused Culture by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Heavilin; the motion passed without objection. 7. SCADA ITB 2025-04-PW Mr. Townsend presented on SCADA ITB 2025-04-PW. A motion was made to continue SCADA ITB 2025-04-PW to the next City Council meeting by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Heavilin; the motion passed without objection. 8. Fan Press ITB 2025-05-PW Mr. Townsend presented on the Fan Press ITB 2025-05-PW. A motion was made to award the bid to Hydra Services in the amount of $520,840 and use capacity fees and impact fees by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Heavilin; the motion passed without objection. 9. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Design Loan Agreement (AC Watermain Replacement DW660251) Mr. Townsend presented on Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Design Loan Agreement (AC Watermain Replacement DW660251). A motion was made to approve Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Design Ioan Agreement by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Heavilin; the motion passed without objection. 10. Lift Station Review & Assessment Mr. Townsend presented on the .Lift Station Review & Assessment. Mr. Bierbaum stated that he would like more time to discuss this item due to this meeting already C being long. A motion was made to Continue Lift Station Review & Assessment to the next City Council meeting by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councimember Heavilin; the motion passed without objection. 11. Lake DeFuniak Soil Test Update Mr. Townsend presented on the Lake DeFuniak Soil Test Update. Mr. Townsend stated that the current company that does our water testing can do the soil test. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 15 Mr. Townsend stated that the cost for the test will be $1,433.28. Mr. Townsend stated that we will need someone to collect the sample. Mr. Cosson asked ifhe can be the one to collect the sample. Mr. Adkinson stated that to avoid conflict, a councilmember should not be the one to collect the sample. Mr. Cosson asked Mr. Sconiers to get the sheriffs involved in this situation to dive and collect the sample. Mr. Sconiers stated that he will refer that to the city manager to ask them to do it. A motion was made to approve the soil test in the amount of $1,433.28 by Councilmember Heavillin and seconded by Councilmember Cosson; the motion passed without objection. 12. Hiring Freeze Discussion and Direction Mr. Townsend presented the discussion and direction on the hiring freeze. A motion was made to institute a hiring freeze with the exception of the Finance Director by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Cosson; the motion passed without objection. Mr. Bierbaum stated that we need to ensure that we are consistent in order to be fair with what we are doing. Mr. Hurley stated that we need to make an identification on what is mission critical. D. Planning Director C. Wallace 1. Enact a Moratorium on all New Signage within the City with 3 Exceptions - Update/Direction Mr. Adkinson stated that Senate Bill 180 still hasn't arrived on the Governor's desk. Mr. Adkinson stated that this bill could create major problems with any government. A motion was made to Table this item till the governor has signed SB 180 by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Heavilin; the motion passed without objection. 2. 2025-SD-01, 26th and Van Buren Subdivision, approval of the final plan June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 16 Mr. Wallace presented on 2025-SD-01, 26th and Van Buren Subdivision, regarding the approval ofthe final plan. Mr. Cosson asked whether there will be sidewalks and streetlights included in the project. Mr. Wallace responded that the Council is approving the public infrastructure as part of this item. He further stated that, based on the current Land Development Code (LDC), sidewalks will be included in this project. Mr. Wallace also noted that the Council will see this project again in the future. Mr. Bierbaum asked whether there is an understanding oft the traffic impact related to the project. Mr. Wallace responded that a traffic analysis is required with each subdivision approval. He confirmed that the issue was addressed and does not believe there will be a significant impact in the area based on the traffic report. Mr. Bierbaum emphasized that he wants to ensure traffic impacts are being properly evaluated. Mr. Sconiers stated that he believes the development is too tight, but acknowledged that if it meets code, it meets code, and this is something that can be addressed during the upcoming Land Development Code rewrites. Mr. Thomas commented that Atlanta has built condos that are much closer together than this, and they have worked well for the community. A motion was made to approve 2025-SD-01, 26th and Van Buren Subdivision, final plan by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Sconiers; the motion passed without objection. 5. PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCES A. Planning Director C. Wallace 1. 2nd Reading - 2u25-5A-4,Jonathan Nash's request to amend the Zoning Map Mr. Adkinson swore in staff and applicants. Mr. Wallace presented the 2nd Reading - 2025-SSA-04, Jonathan Nash's request to amend the Zoning Map. A motion was made to approve the 2nd Reading - 2025-SSA-04, Jonathan Nash's request to amend the Zoning Map by Councilmember Heavilin and seconded by Councilmember Bierbaum; the motion passed without objection. 2. 2nd Reading - 2025-SSA-05, Jonathan Nash's request to amend the Future Land Use June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 17 Map Passed without objection. Mr. Wallace presented on the 2nd Reading - 2025-SSA-05, Jonathan Nash's request to amend the Future Land Use Map Passed without objection. A motion was made to approve the 2nd Reading - 2025-SSA-05, Jonathan Nash's request to amend the Future Land Use Map by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Heavilin; the motion passed without objection. B. City. Attorney C. Adkinson 1. 1st Reading - Chapter 11 Code Enforcement Mr. Adkinson presented on the 1st Reading - Chapter 11 Code Enforcement. Mr. Adkinson stated that this was workshop through the code and land use committee. A motion was made to approve 1st Reading - Chapter 11 Code Enforcement by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Heavilin; the motion passed without objection. 2. 1st Reading - 2025-Annex-01, Mike McCormick is requesting the annexation of a 2.08 tract ofland located on Quail Ridge Rd. Mr. Adkinson presented on the Ist Reading - 2025-Annex-01, Mike McCormick is requesting the annexation of a 2.08 tract ofland located on Quail Ride Rd. A motion was made to approve 1st Reading - 2025-Annex-01, Mike McCormick is requesting the annexation of a 2.08 tract of land located on Quail Ridge Rd by Councilmember Heavilin and seconded by Councilmember Bierbaum; the motion passed without objection. 6. REQUEST TO BE ON THE AGENDA A. Kyle Moreau, Jacobs 1. Jacobs Bi-Monthly Report Mr. Monroe provided his bi-monthly update on the Jacobs project. He stated that all Hydra-Links have been installed in all the water wells. He also noted that daily checks are being conducted at all stations. The bypass at Lift Station 2 has been fully repaired, and work is ongoing on the rehabilitation of Lift Station 3. Well 10 has been pulled and is scheduled to be reinstalled on Wednesday. Mr. Monroe also reported that there have been three spills over the past few months. Mrs. Heavilin asked for clarification on what constitutes a "minor" issue. Mr. Monroe responded that a minor issue refers to a spill of less than 20,000 gallons and clarified that this is just an estimate. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 18 B. Lee Thomas, Citizen 1. Utilities, Streets, Taxes and Fees Mr. Thomas stated that the road on Twin Lake Drive needs to be properly repaired, as the City continues to only patch the speed bumps rather than addressing the underlying issue. He noted that the roads were not originally built to handle the current volume of traffic, and that there are now thousands ofpeople using them. He added that Mr. Townsend spent time with him this week discussing the matter. Mr. Townsend stated that within the next few months, the City expects to receive further direction regarding state funding for road improvements. Mr. Thomas asked whether that funding includes sidewalks. Mr. Townsend clarified that the funding only covers the road, not sidewalks. Mr. Thomas also raised concerns that there has been no mention of the infrastructure beneath the road, such as water and sewer lines. He expressed frustration that his water bill is now higher than his electric bill, making it difficult for residents to budget. He added that many residents are upset about how much they are paying for water and sewage. Mr. Thomas explained that he had to pay an additional $400.00 because he was unable to prove that the excess water used had returned to the sewer system. He noted that if a resident does not meet the conditions of a City form, they are responsible for repaying the full amount. Mr. Thomas then asked, "How much water are we losing?" Mr. Townsend responded that, based on the auditor's report, the City is losing 75% ofits water. Mr. Thomas stated that a decision needs to be made, as the City is doing a poor job managing its water system. He mentioned that some residents forget to turn off their water and end up with massive bills, further adding to the financial strain on households. Larry Anderson, a citizen ofDeFuniak Springs, reiterated that it took him two weeks to receive a letter about a water leak, which reflects poorly on communication with residents. He also stated that the water does not taste right, and noted that others have experienced the same issue but have since left the community. Mayor Campbell thanked the residents for bringing these issues to the Council's attention. Mr. Cosson emphasized the seriousness of the issue, repeating that losing 75% of the City's water reflects major inefficiencies. Mrs. McDaniel responded that the City needs to "true up" the water meters, expressing doubt that the Cityis actually losing that much water. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 19 Mr. Bierbaum said he understands the importance of maintaining a backflow preventer and acknowledged that he learned any issues past the water meter are the responsibility of the property owner. He shared that he had been trying to repair his own backflow preventer for years, and emphasized that consumers must be aware of their responsibilities. Mr. Townsend stated that the City needs to ensure that it is "metering to scale" and added that they are working to camera the utility lines to assess their condition. Mr. Cosson asked ifthe City is currently running cameras through the lines. Mr. Townsend replied that the City is currently in a reactive state, not yet able to proactively inspect infrastructure at scale. Mr. Bierbaum concluded by saying it "does not compute" that this much water is being wasted. C. Susan Vallee, Citizen 1.Stop sign on Live Oak E Street and S. 12 St. 7. CITIZEN COMMENTS Paul Rushing, a citizen of DeFuniak Springs, shared that a member of the community experienced a water leak but did not know how to fill out the necessary paperwork or who to contact for help. Mr. Rushing stated that she was advised to install an additional meter, but the cost was $2,000, which she could not afford. He emphasized that there should be a liaison or support system in place to help elderly residents navigate this process and get the assistance they need. Mayor Campbell responded by stating that the City will work on these issues. Mayor Campbell then closed the floor for public comment. 8. CITY ATTORNEY A. City Manager Annual Evaluation Mr. Adkinson presented the City Manager's annual evaluation. Mr. Adkinson asked the Council to decide which evaluation form they would prefer to use for assessing the City Manager's performance. Mr. Adkinson expressed that he does not support Example 3, as it relies solely on open-ended comments to rate performance. He explained that what one person views as "good" may not be the same for someone else, making the evaluation less consistent. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 20 Mrs. Heavilin stated that she prefers Example 2. Mr. Bierbaum stated that the Council should use Form 1, as it offers more nuance in the evaluation process. Mr. Harrison stated that he is okay with doing the current form because Mr. Townsend took the job under the current evaluation. A motion was made to continue to use the exiting form by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Sconiers; the motion passed with Councilmember Heavilin and Councilmember Cosson voting nay. 9. LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS A. Mayor B. Campbell 1. Planning Board Nomination Mayor Campbell presented his Planning Board nomination: Kallie Rawls. A motion was made to approve the Planning Board Nomination by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Heavilin; the motion passed without objection. B. Councilmember G. Harrison 1. Tree and Beautification Board Nomination Mr. Harrison presented his Tree and Beautification Board nomination: Janet Evans. A motion was made to approve the T'ree and Beautification Board Nomination by Councilmember Bierbaum and seconded by Councilmember Cosson; the motion passed without objection. C. Councilmember D. Cosson 1. Fence at Florence Park Mr. Cosson decided to bring this item back at the next meeting. 2. Airport Funding Mr. Adkinson addressed a recent Facebook post that raised concerns about airport funding. He clarified that Mr. Cosson accidentally shared a link to the post with Councilmember Heavilin, but there was no like, comment, or any interaction with the post at the time it was shared. Mr. Adkinson stated that he wanted to be transparent in disclosing that the link had been sent and noted that Mrs. Heavilin did not reply. He added that technically, sharing links or tagging council members in posts could be a violation of Florida's Sunshine Law, but emphasized that since the matter is now being discussed in a public setting, it is properly disclosed and addressed. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 21 Mr. Townsend provided detailed clarification regarding the state appropriations and funding sources for airport-related projects. He began by discussing a $650,000 appropriation, explaining that it had been extended through 2026 and that the City is currently in the design phase of the runway project. He then explained that the terminal project has a total cost of approximately $8.4 million, with $1.3 million coming from City ARPA funds and another $1.6 million used to secure additional funding. The remaining balance has been allocated to the Runway 9-27 widening project. Mr. Townsend confirmed that most of the $1.3 million ARPA funds allocated to the terminal have already been spent toward that project. He further clarified that the $5 million from the Board of County Commissioners is not held in the City's bank account but remains with the County and is treated as a reimbursement, similar to how state grants are administered. He added that FAA funds were used specifically for the apron project and that Triumph Gulf Coast provided a $4.229 million grant for the Hangars 18, 19, and 20 project. These Triumph funds are also reimbursed to the City upon submission of qualified invoices, meaning the City does not currently have those funds on hand. Mr. Townsend stated that while the airport was previously part of the general fund, this year will mark the first time the airport will be accounted for as a separate fund. He also confirmed that the City is unaware of any $4 million deficit and reminded the Council that the City is audited annually. Mr. Adkinson emphasized that, to be clear, the funds allocated to the airport are not missing or misplaced. Mr. Townsend confirmed this statement. Mr. Cosson explained that he brought the matter to the Council because he believes the best way to maintain public trust is through transparency and providing accurate information. He stated that a system of checks and balances exists between the Council and the citizens, and open communication is essential to addressing concerns, Mr. Townsend stated that he would like to create a dedicated area on the City's website where residents can submit questions and receive direct, factual responses from staff. Mr. Sconiers asked when the Facebook post was made, and Mr. Townsend replied that it was posted on Sunday. Mr. Sconiers shared that someone had texted him about requesting an audit, but he did not respond becausehe did not recognize the number. He expressed his frustration with social media, stating that people often seem to be looking for something wrong rather than seeking understanding. Mr. Bierbaum stated that the airport is very important to him and that he wants to see progress continue. He noted that when he was first elected, many residents told him they wanted good- paying jobs that would allow them to stay in the community. He believes the airport represents an opportunity to meet that need. He also stated that all information regarding the airport's funding is already publicly available and that the funds have been appropriately allocated. June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 22 Mr. Bierbaum expressed that residents need to make an effort to seek out the information that is already out there. Mr. Cosson added that those asking questions appreciate the communication and emphasized that transparency helps foster public support. Mr. Bierbaum reiterated that there is already plenty of information available about the airport and again encouraged the public to take the initiative to review it. Mr. Sconiers asked if council members Cosson has completed his required ethics training. Mr. Adkinson responded that he has not completed the full training yet but is signed up to do SO. Mrs. Heavilin asked how the situation involving the shared Facebook post affects her. Mr. Adkinson clarified that because she did not reply to the message and the issue is now being discussed publicly, it is resolved and no longer a concern. 13. EXECUTIVE COMMENTS Mr. Townsend stated that the 20th Street sidewalk project has been completed, and the City is now responsible for its maintenance and oversight. 14. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mrs. Heavilin thanked Koby for setting up an office space for the Council. Mr. Harrison thanked the citizens for staying through the long meeting and expressed his appreciation for their engagement. Mr. Harrison stated that based on tonight everyone is trying to do the right thing for the city. Mr. Harrison stated that Mr. Townsend is committed to the city and doing a great job. He added that he is here because he wants to do his part to help Mr. Townsend continue serving the citizens and the city effectively, ensuring continuity and stable leadership. 12. ADJOURNMENT Meeting Adjourned 7:52 PM. Approved: Bob Campbell, Mayor ATTEST: Minutes taken by Rafael Ali s City Clerk CORPORATE Proper notice having been duly given SEAL 7901 June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting I 23